INDIRECT SELF-PRESENTATION OF PEOPLE WITH A HIGH LEVEL OF MACHIAVELLIANISM IN A SITUATION OF SUCCESS AND FAILURE

Abstract

The possibilities of using indirect self-presentation in the diagnosis of a person’s personality traits on the example of people with a high level of Machiavellianism are discussed in the article. This approach expands the possibilities in diagnosing personality traits, since in this case there is no need to focus on selecting a situation for analyzing selfpresentation. In this case, it is no longer the content aspect of the narrative that is important, but how it is built. To demonstrate this possibility, two groups of respondents were selected: Machiavellian and non-Machiavellian, who were asked to create and tell stories that were not personally related to them. The cards from the board game „Imaginarium” were used as the basis for the plot. It was shown that self-presentation techniques can be identified not only in situations of direct self-presentation, but also in their stories on abstract topics too. The main features of the Machiavellian presentation were also highlighted. Their stories are about a strong hero who is opposed to the world. There may be other characters in the stories, but their role is insignificant, or they are ignored by the main character. If we are talking about failures, these situations are described as a certain combination of circumstances.