Abstract
Abstract In this article we argue that self-deception evolved to facilitate interpersonal deception by allowing people to avoid the cues to conscious deception that might reveal deceptive intent. Self-deception has two additional advantages: It eliminates the costly cognitive lo
von Hippel, W., & Trivers, R. (2011). Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 34(1), 1–16. DOI
Key findings
- evolution psychology self — Abstract In this article we argue that self-deception evolved to facilitate interpersonal deception by allowing people to avoid the cues to conscious deception that might reveal deceptive intent.
- deception — Self-deception has two additional advantages: It eliminates the costly cognitive load that is typically associated with deceiving, and it can minimize retribution if the deception is discovered.
- abstract argue self — Beyond its role in specific acts of deception, self-deceptive self-enhancement also allows people to display more confidence than is warranted, which has a host of social advantages.
- Self has two — The question then arises of how the self can be both deceiver and deceived.
Limits
Evolutionary review — self-deception as adaptive story; hard to test cleanly in one experiment.