Manipulative Attitude Scale Test

See how likely someone is to use manipulation in communication in about 3 minutes. A quick 20 item screen that supports counseling, team coaching, and hiring with clear, actionable insight.

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Questions: 203 minutes

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

29,025 views

2,636 completions

2,107 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

Scale Explorer

How the Scales are Structured

example score

64/100

Manipulative Attitude (MA)

Measures the extent to which a person tends to use manipulative strategies in interpersonal communication to influence others.

Low

Moderate

High

20 – 40: Low | 41 – 60: Moderate | 61 – 100: High

A score of 64 falls in the High range, suggesting a relatively strong tendency to rely on manipulative approaches when interacting with others.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Psychologists and counselors

41%OF USERS

They use it as a quick screening tool to spot manipulative tendencies that may affect relationships and therapy progress.

HR and hiring managers

34%OF USERS

They take it to better judge how candidates or employees influence others and whether manipulation could disrupt teamwork.

People improving communication

25%OF USERS

They take it out of self-interest to understand whether they rely on covert pressure and what to work on in everyday interactions.

BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.

Benchmarking

See How You Compare

Once you complete the test, your results are compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.

Manipulative Attitude Scale (MAS)

Average

77.6

Normal range

65.2 — 90

min.

max.

100

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.

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SAMPLE QUESTIONS

Example Questions From the Test

Please read the statements in this questionnaire carefully. If you consider a statement to be true and consistent with your view of yourself and other people, indicate the extent to which you agree with it using the response scale provided.

- Always
- Often
- Sometimes
- Rarely
- Never
- Always
- Often
- Sometimes
- Rarely
- Never
- Always
- Often
- Sometimes
- Rarely
- Never

These are 3 of the 20 real questions — the rest appear in the test. No sign-up needed to start.

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WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Banta's Manipulative Attitude Scale Test

Manipulative Attitude Scale Test - Symptoms and Signs

manipulations

This brief self-report measure screens for tendencies to endorse manipulative approaches in interpersonal contexts. The Manipulative Attitude Scale is intended to support an initial estimate of how strongly an individual agrees with statements reflecting instrumental or controlling social attitudes.

It consists of 20 items and typically takes about 3 minutes to complete, using agreement-based ratings. Results are generally interpreted as an index of relative endorsement of manipulative attitudes and may be used to inform follow-up clinical interviewing or broader assessment.

The Manipulative Attitude Scale is commonly referenced in relation to work by Paulhus, D. L., and Christie, R.

Author: Christie, R., Paulhus, D. L.

Literature: Paulhus, D. L., & Williams, K. M. The dark triad of personality: Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. Journal of Research in Personality. 2002.