Does Striving for a Better World Justify the Use of Power? Examining the Quixotic Machiavellianism Profile
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18800/psico.202602.012Keywords:
Quixotic Machiavellianism Profile, Formality, Power, Dark tetradAbstract
Why do some individuals justify morally flexible strategies when pursuing collective welfare? We introduce and empirically tested the Quixotic Machiavellianism Profile (QMP), defined as a stable disposition to deploy power, influence, and strategic flexibility in the service of transcendental goals. Through two studies, we develop and refine a measure of QMP and examine its distinctiveness from two related constructs: Machiavellianism and Socialized Power. In Study 1, QMP uniquely predicts willingness to engage in ethically ambiguous actions when these are framed as producing a greater good. Study 2 situates QMP within broader personality models, showing that it combines instrumental traits (e.g., low Honesty–Humility, moderate Dark Tetrad associations) with openness and value orientations toward collective benefit. Importantly, QMP predicts preference for ethically flexible means only when aimed at increasing the general welfare, particularly among individuals in positions of influence. These findings suggest that moral flexibility can reflect adaptive realism rather than corruption when aligned with self-transcendent goals.
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