ABSTRACT
From the beginning, researchers have considered Machiavellians’ rational, cold and reserved behaviour as one of their fundamental characteristics. Their emotional coldness originates in strong impulse control that primarily elicits an unemotional analysis of the situation and indifference towards others. Machiavellians seem to have difficulty both in communicating their own emotions and understanding those of others. This shortage may be advantageous in terms of deception. Restrained emotional communication may facilitate successful manipulation since it deprives the potential target of such behavioral cues as might reveal the Machiavellian’s intentions. It is possible that Machiavellians deliberately conceal their emotions in order to carry out a perfect deception. Recent research found that Machiavellians in fact experience intense emotions, but they have difficulty identifying and expressing them. The relationship between Machiavellianism and anxiety is controversial in the light of recent evidence. Psychopaths are well known for their lack of anxiety and this is probably the most important difference between them and Machiavellians.
