Why Women Play Fewer Mind Games in Gender-Equal Societies
Friday, December 20, 2024.
Let’s dive into a surprising psychological twist: as gender equality rises, women seem to lean less on Machiavellian tactics—you know, manipulation, exploitation, and the kind of behavior that would make Machiavelli himself smirk.
A new study published in the International Journal of Personality Psychology unpacks this intriguing phenomenon, and the findings are as fascinating as they are paradoxical.
The Big Picture: Machiavellianism and Gender Gaps
Machiavellianism, the dark triad’s charming cousin, is all about cunning, strategic deceit, and a "whatever-it-takes" mindset.
Historically, men score higher on the Machiavellian scale than women, a trend proven to be reliably consistent across cultures.
But here’s the kicker: in countries with higher gender equality, the gap between men and women’s scores grows.
While men’s Machiavellian tendencies remain steady (apparently, equality doesn’t subdue their inner schemer), women’s scores drop dramatically.
Yes, you read that right. More gender equality doesn’t erase differences; it amplifies them. This is both fascinating, and oddly reassuring.
Behind the Numbers: A Global Investigation
Researchers, led by Dan Confino from Geneva University, analyzed responses from 56,936 adults across 48 countries. Participants filled out the MACH-IV questionnaire—a kind of personality test for would-be Machiavellis—while their demographic info (gender, age, and IP address) was recorded for context.
The researchers paired this data with global gender equality metrics, including the United Nations’ Gender Inequality Index and the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index. These indices measure everything from access to education and political representation to economic opportunities and healthcare access.
The goal?
To see how gender equality shapes Machiavellian tendencies.
Key Findings: Manipulation on the Decline (for Women)
Men’s scores on Machiavellianism stayed consistent, regardless of a nation’s gender equality levels. Apparently, some habits die hard.
Women’s scores, however, fluctuated significantly. In countries with low gender equality, women’s scores were higher, possibly reflecting a need to navigate restrictive, resource-scarce environments through strategic cunning. But in gender-equal societies, these scores dropped like a hot potato.
The study suggests that when women have access to resources, opportunities, and autonomy, they don’t feel the need to resort to Machiavellian strategies. The phrase "work smarter, not harder" comes to mind.
The Gender Equality Paradox: When Freedom Magnifies Differences
The findings align with the "gender equality paradox," which posits that increased equality often magnifies psychological and behavioral differences between men and women.
Why?
Because greater equality allows folks to lean into their intrinsic preferences and tendencies.
In other words, gender-equal societies might give women the freedom to embrace non-Machiavellian traits, while men… well, tend to stay the same.
But Why, Though? (Cue Future Research)
While the study highlights this trend, it doesn’t fully explain why women’s reliance on Machiavellian tactics decreases in more egalitarian societies. Potential explanations include:
Access to Resources: With less competition for survival, manipulative strategies become unnecessary.
Cultural Shifts: Gender-equal societies may promote norms that discourage manipulative behaviors.
Evolving Pressures: Women might face fewer societal expectations to "scheme" their way through rigid structures.
Future research could dive deeper, perhaps exploring whether these patterns hold over time or in different contexts (looking at you, corporate boardrooms).
Why It Matters: Beyond the Battle of the Sexes
Understanding how societal factors shape personality traits isn’t just an academic exercise; it’s a window into how culture and evolution dance together.
If gender equality reduces the need for manipulative behaviors, it’s worth asking: what other "dark" traits might fade in an authentically more equitable world?
As for the men, who apparently stayed Machiavellian regardless in this study, what societal shifts might alter that tendency?
One thing’s for sure: as societies evolve, so do the strategies we use to navigate them.
The results of this study remind us that progress toward gender equity isn’t always linear or predictable.
Sometimes, making the playing field more even doesn’t just level the game—it changes the rules entirely. And for women in gender-equal countries, the rules seem to include less scheming and more thriving.
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
RESOURCES:
Confino, D., Ghisletta, P., Stoet, G., & Falomir-Pichastor, J. M. (2024). National gender equality and sex differences in Machiavellianism across countries. International Journal of Personality Psychology.
United Nations Development Programme. (n.d.). Gender Inequality Index. Retrieved from https://hdr.undp.org
World Economic Forum. (n.d.). Global Gender Gap Report. Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org