Research suggests manipulators may reveal themselves by not hiding flaws
New research indicates that manipulators might inadvertently reveal themselves in professional settings by not hiding their weaknesses as aggressively as others. Admitting minor flaws could be a strategy to build trust.
New research from the University of Novi Sad in Serbia offers a different perspective on identifying manipulators, particularly in professional contexts like job interviews. The study suggests that manipulators may not conceal their weaknesses with the same intensity as other individuals when trying to make a good impression.
The experiment involved over 100 participants who completed a personality questionnaire twice: once honestly and once under the pretense of it being part of a job application. The questionnaire measured traits associated with the "Dark Tetrad" of personality: Machiavellianism (manipulativeness), narcissism, psychopathy, and sadism. Findings revealed that individuals scoring high on psychopathy and sadism significantly reduced these traits when attempting to "fake good" in the simulated job interview scenario.
However, for those identified as manipulators (Machiavellians), the pattern differed. Their scores for manipulativeness did not change significantly between the two conditions. Furthermore, regarding "communal management"—defined as the denial of flaws and socially unacceptable desires—manipulators acted counterintuitively. They exhibited more communal management when being honest compared to when they were trying to present a favorable image.
Researchers speculate that manipulators might strategically admit to certain shortcomings as a way to quickly build trust. By appearing more human and vulnerable, they may paradoxically seem more credible. Recognizing this unusual behavior could help distinguish manipulators from others, especially in situations where assessing trustworthiness is critical.