Neural correlates of Machiavellian strategies in a social dilemma task

► Machiavellians were found to successfully compete for resources in Trust Game. ► We found in Machiavellians an elevated activity of the middle frontal gyrus. ► We found in high-Mach persons a high activity in cingulate cortex and thalamus. ► We also found high activity in the anterior insula and inferior frontal gyrus. ► Machiavellians may be skilled in using behavioral heuristics.