Machiavellian intelligence |
In cognitive science and evolutionary psychology, Machiavellian
Intelligence (Political Intelligence or Social Intelligence), is the capacity of an
entity in successful political engagement with social groups. The term refers to Niccolo Machiavelli's The Prince (1513) and the hypothesis that the techniques which lead to certain kinds of political success within large
social groups are also applicable within smaller groups, even within the
family-unit. The term "everyday politics" was
later introduced in reference to these various methods. These arguments are based on research by primatologists such as Nicholas Humphrey (1975).
Such behaviors include:
The capacity of non-humans to lie, blame, misdirect and mislead was demonstrated by
orang-utans and gorillas during the
1980s and 1990s.
Autism
Some theorists believe that autistic people lack Machiavellian intelligence. One
hypothesis is that they lack a "theory of mind" which is necessary for
both cooperation and deceit.
See also
External links
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