Men, have you ever had a manipulative ex that almost made you give up dating forever? Not against the ex, blames society. Social structure shapes personality in more ways than you might think. A study published in the International Journal of Personality Psychology revealed intriguing insights that revealed a link between manipulative women and gender inequality. It explains that a country’s level of gender equality can influence the extent to which women may exhibit Machiavellian traits. Machiavellian traits are negative behaviors such as manipulation, deception, and exploitation.
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The impact of gender inequality on women’s behavior
The study looked at Machiavellianism, a negative personality trait characterized by a cunning, lying approach to gain power over others and achieve one’s goals. Gender equality feeds into this Machiavellian behavior. The researchers found that in countries with greater gender equality, women tend to have lower levels of Machiavellianism, while in countries with gender inequality, women show higher levels of Machiavellianism.
Research findings show that when women have better access to equal resources, opportunities, and power, they do not feel the need to rely on manipulative behavior. Machiavellianism is about gaining power through underhand tactics, so in any country with very low gender equality, women can resort to manipulative methods to control a restrictive environment and secure their place. As women gain more autonomy, choice, and the resources they need to succeed, they may no longer feel constrained by the need to manipulate their environment.
Gender paradox
Machiavellianism in women differed depending on the level of gender equality, in men it was different. The results of the study showed that men consistently scored significantly higher than women on Machiavellianism, regardless of the level of gender equality in their respective countries. Thus, the structure of society was not conducive to Machiavellianism in men. This suggests that men’s tendencies toward manipulation and deception are more uniform across social structures.
The researchers called it the “paradox of gender equality.” It has been shown that gender equality can sometimes increase, rather than decrease, psychological and behavioral differences between men and women. Men, regardless of resource scarcity, tend to exhibit Machiavellianism, while women unknowingly engage in this behavior in order to gain a foothold in a restrictive society.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice.
