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. 2003 Apr;51(3):262-9.
doi: 10.1016/s0278-2626(03)00018-6.

Machiavellianism and Theory of Mind in people affected by schizophrenia

Monica Mazza  1 , Alessandro De Risio, Carola Tozzini, Rita Roncone, Massimo Casacchia
Affiliations

Machiavellianism and Theory of Mind in people affected by schizophrenia

Monica Mazza et al. Brain Cogn. 2003 Apr.

Abstract

Context: People affected by schizophrenia show deficits in social interaction (Cramer, Bowen, & O'Neill, 1992); such a deficit may stem from an alteration in the representation of mental states.

Object: In this study we have examined 42 people affected by schizophrenia, diagnosed according to DSM-IV criteria, by testing them with an instrument (the Mach IV scale, Christie & Geis, 1970) assessing "Machiavellian Intelligence" according to Niccolò Machiavelli's assertions. Schizophrenic subjects were compared to a sample of normal controls, matched for age, sex, and education.

Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate if there were correlations between the ability to understand other people's mental states and the capacity for interpreting "Machiavellian expressions."

Results: Results show that people affected by schizophrenia are less able to use Machiavellian-style "tactical" abilities than controls.

Conclusion: Such a disability seems to be correlated to poor mentalising abilities.

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