Machiavellianism in Universities: Perceiving Exploitation in Student Networks

摘要

Aim of this article is to examine parameters and types of Machiavellian behavior among students in selected departments. Social network analysis, bivariate analysis and principal component analysis have been implemented. A total sample of 27 students of Business Administration dept. (Thessaly University of Applied Sciences), 63 students of Veterinary dept. and 57 students of Physical Education dept. (University of Thessaly) has been analyzed. Selected results: Male students tend to regard more students as Machiavellians. Female students seem to be more willing to harm others. Male ones are more willing to exploit weaknesses. Tall or heavy students are regarded as quite Machiavellians. Students of urban origin or rich enough seem to adopt a relatively innocent view. Using internet is regarded as an evidence of Machiavellianism. To select friends by appreciating their knowledge capacity is considered to be unrelated to Machiavellianism. Two types of students who are targeted for Machiavellian practices are demarcated: a) “full target” and b) “beneficial target”. Two types of Machiavellian students appear: a) “full Machiavellian” and b) “ruthless”. A mixed typology of victims and Machiavellians reveals: a) a “targeting and targeted” type, b) a “full target”, c) a “beneficial target” and d) a “ruthless”. In general, the Machiavellianism seems to be either a generalized strategy or a quite specific one.