Speaking of Psychology
Encore - Why we get conned and how to avoid it, with Daniel Simons, PhD, and Christopher Chabris, PhD
Jan 1, 2025
Daniel Simons, a psychology professor and head of the Visual Cognition Laboratory, and Christopher Chabris, co-director of the Behavioral Decision Sciences Program, reveal the cognitive traps that lead us to believe lies. They discuss infamous frauds like Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme and a chess con that highlights our vulnerabilities. The duo stresses the importance of skepticism and critical thinking in protecting ourselves from scams, while also exploring how small interventions can lead to significant behavioral changes.
35:35
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Quick takeaways
- Cognitive biases, such as truth bias, make individuals prone to deception by leading them to initially trust misleading information.
- To combat modern scams, adopting proactive strategies like establishing family passcodes and verifying communications is essential for protection.
Deep dives
Understanding Vulnerability to Deception
Everyone is susceptible to deception, regardless of how discerning they may believe themselves to be. Scammers often target individuals by tailoring their approaches to fit specific desires or needs, increasing the likelihood of success. Cognitive biases, such as truth bias, lead people to initially perceive information as valid, making it easier for con artists to exploit these habits. This vulnerability highlights the importance of critical thinking and situational awareness when encountering offers that seem extraordinary.
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