This study aims to investigate a possible interrelation between bullying and Machiavellianism, as an attitudinal personality predisposition to manipulate others in interpersonal situations. The literature about bullying revealed that bullies have some personality tendencies to dominate others, to use violence as an instrument for self-affirmation (the “aggressive personality” of Olweus, 1973), and also a tendency to a lack of conventional morality, so we hypothesized that bullying has some relations with Machiavellian personality. The sample consisted of 187 Italian children (90 males and 97 females), fourth-graders, fifth-graders (aged between 9 and 11 years) of primary school and second-graders, third-graders (aged between 12 and 14 years) of secondary school. Two different self-report questionnaires were administered: 1. the Italian version of the Kiddie Mach scale to assess children’s attitudes towards human nature and trust in interpersonal relationships; 2. a questionnaire assessing bullying and victimization, consisting of the Italian adaptations of Bullying Behavior Scale and Peer Victimisation Scale. The results show significative relationships between Machiavellianism and bullying.
Comportamento prevaricante e dimensioni di personalità: bulli e machiavellici in un contesto scolastico italiano
CARAVITA S.C.S.
2006-01-01
Abstract
This study aims to investigate a possible interrelation between bullying and Machiavellianism, as an attitudinal personality predisposition to manipulate others in interpersonal situations. The literature about bullying revealed that bullies have some personality tendencies to dominate others, to use violence as an instrument for self-affirmation (the “aggressive personality” of Olweus, 1973), and also a tendency to a lack of conventional morality, so we hypothesized that bullying has some relations with Machiavellian personality. The sample consisted of 187 Italian children (90 males and 97 females), fourth-graders, fifth-graders (aged between 9 and 11 years) of primary school and second-graders, third-graders (aged between 12 and 14 years) of secondary school. Two different self-report questionnaires were administered: 1. the Italian version of the Kiddie Mach scale to assess children’s attitudes towards human nature and trust in interpersonal relationships; 2. a questionnaire assessing bullying and victimization, consisting of the Italian adaptations of Bullying Behavior Scale and Peer Victimisation Scale. The results show significative relationships between Machiavellianism and bullying.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
