Features of self-attitude among cadets with different levels of propensity to manipulate

The article discusses the results of a study of the level of development of the propensity to manipulate other people on the example of cadets of a departmental institution in order to establish differences in the characteristics of their relationship to themselves. The study was conducted on the basis of the Vologda Institute of Law and Economics of the Federal Penal Service of Russia. It was attended by 65 cadets of the 2nd and 3rd courses of the Faculty of Psychology. The methods used by V. V. Znakov “Questionnaire for Machiavellianism” and the method of studying self-replication by S. R. Pantileev were used. As a result of data analysis using mathematical statistics methods negative correlation relationships were established between the tendency to manipulation and closeness, self-management, the idea of the ability to arouse respect and sympathy in others, self-worth and self-reliance of cadets. Differences in the level of closeness, perception of other people’s attitudes towards themselves, self-attachment among students with different propensities for manipulation and significant differences on the “internal conflict” and “self-management” scales between students with low and medium propensity for manipulative behavior were also established. The findings suggest that a high propensity to manipulate is combined with self-doubt, low self-esteem, dissatisfaction with oneself, and perception of oneself as not worthy of the respect and sympathy of others. The results of the study emphasize the need to correct the propensity for manipulative behavior in order to change a person’s attitude to himself and other people. The data obtained can be used in the activities of practical psychologists.

Keywords: self-attitude; manipulation of communication; propensity to manipulate; Machiavellianism; cadets of departmental institutions