MACH IV SCALE
1 2 3 4 5
strongly disagree disagree neutral agree strongly agree
_____ 1. Anyone who completely trusts anyone else is asking for trouble.
_____ 2. Most people who get ahead in the world lead clean moral lives.
_____ 3. It is safest to assume that all people have a vicious streak and it will come out when
they are given a chance.
_____ 4. One should take action only when sure it is morally right.
_____ 5. Generally speaking, people wont work hard unless theyre forced to do so.
_____ 6. It is wise to flatter important people.
_____ 7. It is hard to get ahead without cutting corners here and there.
_____ 8. People suffering from incurable diseases should have the choice of being put painlessly
to death.
_____ 9. Most people are brave.
_____ 10. The best way to handle people is to tell them what they want to hear.
_____ 11. The biggest difference between most criminals and other people is that criminals are
stupid enough to get caught.
_____ 12. Honesty is the best policy in all cases.
_____ 13. Barnum was very wrong when he said theres a sucker born every minute.
_____ 14. Most people are basically good and kind.
_____ 15. When you ask someone to do something for you, it is best to give the real reasons
for wanting it rather than giving reasons which might carry more weight.
_____ 16. It is possible to be good in all respects.
_____ 17. Most people forget more easily the death of a parent than the loss of their property.
_____ 18. Never tell anyone the real reason you did something unless it is useful to do so.
_____ 19. There is no excuse for lying to someone else.
_____ 20. All in all, it is better to be humble and honest than to be important and dishonest.
Key
The Mach IV comprises three subscales: Tactics, Morality, and Views.
A minus sign (-) indicates that the item is reverse scored
T+ 1. Anyone who completely trusts anyone else is asking for trouble.
V- 2. Most people who get ahead in the world lead clean moral lives.
V+ 3. It is safest to assume that all people have a vicious streak and it will come out when
they are given a chance.
T- 4. One should take action only when sure it is morally right.
V+ 5. Generally speaking, people wont work hard unless theyre forced to do so.
T+ 6. It is wise to flatter important people.
V+ 7. It is hard to get ahead without cutting corners here and there.
M+ 8. People suffering from incurable diseases should have the choice of being put painlessly
to death.
V- 9. Most people are brave.
T+ 10. The best way to handle people is to tell them what they want to hear.
V+ 11. The biggest difference between most criminals and other people is that criminals are
stupid enough to get caught.
T- 12. Honesty is the best policy in all cases.
V- 13. Barnum was very wrong when he said theres a sucker born every minute.
V- 14. Most people are basically good and kind.
T- 15. When you ask someone to do something for you, it is best to give the real reasons for
wanting it rather than giving reasons which might carry more weight.
T- 16. It is possible to be good in all respects.
V+ 17. Most people forget more easily the death of a parent than the loss of their property.
T+ 18. Never tell anyone the real reason you did something unless it is useful to do so.
T- 19. There is no excuse for lying to someone else.
M- 20. All in all, it is better to be humble and honest than to be important and dishonest.
Overall Mach score is the mean of the 20 items (after reversing the appropriate items).
