Self-Deception Is Helpful But Only In The Short-Term, Research Says

Spread the love

Psychology News – A philosophy team revealed that people take to self-deception in their everyday lives to maintain positivity. The fruitfulness of the strategy is shown to be helpful, but not in the long run or in crisis.

The team, led by Dr. Francesco Marchi and Professor Albert Newen of Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) and the University of Antwerp, described four strategies of self-deception: reorganisation of beliefs; selection of facts through purposeful action; rejection of facts by casting doubt on the credibility of the source; and generation of facts from an ambiguous state of affairs. For exemplification, the researchers selected instances around a father, his son, a teacher, and grades to show how self-deception briefly ensures positivity, hopefulness, and progress.

The findings—published in Philosophical Psychology in January 2022—claim that the four-strategies employed in frequent self-deception are harmless in the short-run. But this cognitive equipment is claimed to be very detrimental in the medium and long run, especially in crisis situations or in times of radical challenges that require rapid behavioral changes for evolution.

In serious scenarios in elaborate timelines, self-deception entails distorted risk management and only serves to dampen precautionary attempts at redeeming the situations. In this context, Professor Albert Newen spoke of how self-deception in vaccination drives against coronavirus weakened important public health strategies devised to combat the pandemic.

Professor Albert Newen stated, “Self-deception can therefore stabilize the self-image, established ways of thinking and motivation to act in normal times, but becomes detrimental in times of crisis that require radical rethinking and new ways of acting, and puts society at risk.”

To know more, you may refer to:

Marchi, Francesco & Newen, Albert. (2022). Self-deception in the predictive mind: cognitive strategies and a challenge from motivation. Philosophical Psychology. 1-20. 10.1080/09515089.2021.2019693.


Spread the love

Leave a Reply

  • Can Unconventional Therapies For Children Reduce The Risk Of Mental Illness?

    Can Unconventional Therapies For Children Reduce The Risk Of Mental Illness?

    Research delves into the mental health benefits of unconventional therapies…

  • What Are The Benefits Of Bedtime Meditation?

    What Are The Benefits Of Bedtime Meditation?

    Experts explore the mental health benefits of bedtime meditation.

  • The Power of Mental Health Campaigns In Changing Minds And Shaping Lives

    The Power of Mental Health Campaigns In Changing Minds And Shaping Lives

    Research explores the potential of awareness campaigns in opening up…

  • How To Move Past Yet Honor Mother’s Day Grief

    How To Move Past Yet Honor Mother’s Day Grief

    Research delves on the mental health implications of Mother’s Day…

  • How Beauty Filters Can Affect Mental Health In The Age Of Social Media?

    How Beauty Filters Can Affect Mental Health In The Age Of Social Media?

    Studies explore the mental health effects of beauty filters and…

  • Did You Know Poor Posture Can Affect Mental Health?

    Did You Know Poor Posture Can Affect Mental Health?

    Reseach explores the mental health benefits of good posture.

  • Mental Health And Crime: What Is The Link?

    Mental Health And Crime: What Is The Link?

    Studies explore how the “mental health” angle in true crime…

  • Can Long Work Hours Affect Mental Health?

    Can Long Work Hours Affect Mental Health?

    Research delves into the mental health effects of long and…

  • Mental Health Awareness Month: Why Is It Important To Celebrate?

    Mental Health Awareness Month: Why Is It Important To Celebrate?

    Experts opine on the importance of celebrating mental health-related days…

  • Can Social Media Trigger Youth Suicide? Experts Reveal

    Can Social Media Trigger Youth Suicide? Experts Reveal

    Research provides insights into the association between social media and…

  • AI Anxiety: Why People Fear Losing Their Jobs To AI and ChatGPT? National Anxiety Month
  • Do Mental Health Conversations Reinforce The Stigma?

    Do Mental Health Conversations Reinforce The Stigma?

    Experts recommend ways to have fulfilling mental health conversations.

  • Research Reveals The Health Benefits of Beat Synchronization

    Research Reveals The Health Benefits of Beat Synchronization

    Research delves into the mental health benefits of beat synchronization…

  • Can Money Buy You Happiness? Science Says Yes

    Can Money Buy You Happiness? Science Says Yes

    Research explores the link between money and happiness.

  • Research Reveals The Role Of Mothers In Shaping Children’s Education

    Research Reveals The Role Of Mothers In Shaping Children’s Education

    Research delves on the role of maternal education on children’s…

  • Therapy Doesn’t Work For Everyone, Research Reveals Why

    Therapy Doesn’t Work For Everyone, Research Reveals Why

    Research provides insights into the nature of unsuccessful therapies.

  • How Are Coparenting And Child Well-Being Related?

    How Are Coparenting And Child Well-Being Related?

    Research explores the link between co-parenting and child well-being.

  • Dysfunctional Families Can Make Psychotherapy Fail, Research Says

    Dysfunctional Families Can Make Psychotherapy Fail, Research Says

    Experts opine on how unsupportive families can make psychotherapy fail.

  • How Do Sweets Change Our Brain? Experts Reveal

    How Do Sweets Change Our Brain? Experts Reveal

    Research delves into the mental health effects of excessive sugar…

  • Research Reveals The Strategies To Improve Intimate Relationships

    Research Reveals The Strategies To Improve Intimate Relationships

    Experts recommend strategies to repair and improve intimate relationships.

  • How Are The Traits Of Our Personality And Life Satisfaction Related?

    How Are The Traits Of Our Personality And Life Satisfaction Related?

    Research delves on the personality profiles that enjoy greater life…

  • Can Flirtatious Behavior Lead To Financial Infidelity In Couples?

    Can Flirtatious Behavior Lead To Financial Infidelity In Couples?

    Research reveals the downsides of problematic flirtatious behavior.

  • Stress Awareness Month: How To Spot The Early Stress Symptoms?

    Stress Awareness Month: How To Spot The Early Stress Symptoms?

    Research reveals why recognizing the early signs of stress is…

  • Why Do People Share Fake News On Social Media?

    Why Do People Share Fake News On Social Media?

    Experts delve into the reasons why people share fake news…

  • Do Women Carry Babies for Lower Energetic Cost Than Men?

    Do Women Carry Babies for Lower Energetic Cost Than Men?

    Recent studies suggest that women carry babies with more efficient…

  • Research Reveals The Dark Side Of Body Positivity

    Research Reveals The Dark Side Of Body Positivity

    Body positivity can trigger mental health disorders like low self-esteem,…

  • Research Reveals The Mental Health Effects Of Facial Scars

    Research Reveals The Mental Health Effects Of Facial Scars

    Research delves into the mental health impact of facial scars.