Annals of gullibility : why we get duped and how to avoid it / Stephen Greenspan ; foreword by Donald S. Connery.

Author/creator Greenspan, Stephen
Format Book
Publication InfoWestport, Conn. : Praeger Publishers, 2009.
Descriptionxvi, 199 pages ; 25 cm
Subjects
Deception--Psychological aspects.

Contents Foreward / by Donald S. Connery -- Introduction -- Overview of the book -- Why a book about gullibility? -- What is gullibility? -- Gullibility as a form of "foolish action" -- Developmental factors in gullibility and its diminution -- Is gullibility unique to humans? -- Gullibility in literature and folk tales -- Pinocchio was one gullible puppet -- Dangerous gullibility: Red Riding Hood and the Pied Piper -- Emperor's new clothes and the power of group modeling -- Mark Twain, chronicler of a credulous age -- Was Gulliver gullible? -- Gullibility as a theme for Herman Melville -- Othello and other Shakespearean dupes -- Gullibility in religion -- Samson and other Bible stories -- Belief in God and supernatural phenomena -- Satan as a manipulator of the gullible -- Believers in end-of-the world predictions -- The gullibility of those who believe in mediums -- Gullibility in anti-semitism -- Christian Science as a magnet for gullibles -- -- Gullibility in war and politics -- The Trojan Horse and military deception -- Groupthink in the planning of the Vietnam war -- Gullibility in the buildup to the Second Iraq War -- Gullibility on the political right -- Gullibility on the political left -- Many people who accept conspiracy theories are gullible -- Suicide bombers are super gullible -- Spin doctoring and believing semi-lies -- Gullibility in criminal justice -- Gullibility among murder accomplices -- A trial as a test of a jury's gullibility -- Gullibility of lawyers -- Gullibility of crime scare stories -- Gullibile application of redemptive and mental health notions -- Gullibility in the interrogation situation -- Gullibility of child witnesses -- Gullibility in science and academia -- The sokal hoax has exposed the gullibility of scholars -- Gullibility in the art world -- Cold fusion as an example of scientific gullibility -- Academic hiring decisions -- Gullibility among psychotherapists and their clients -- Alternative health practices -- Rasputin and facilitated communication -- Gullibility in vulnerable populations -- False confessions of people with brain damage -- Social vulnerability of young people -- Frail elderly and people with Alzheimer's -- People with intellectual disability -- Gullible crime victims -- Sexual exploitation of people with disabilities -- Gullibility in finance and relationships -- Choice of entertainment and vacation purchases -- Inheritance scams -- Tulipmania and other investment bubbles -- Believing rumors -- People interviewed by journalists -- Gullibility in sexual relationships -- Falling for "April Fool" and other practical jokes -- Believing family members -- Questions about gullibility -- Is gullibility a form of stupidity? -- How does affect contribute to gullible behavior? -- Does low energy contribute to gullibility? -- How does self-deception affect gullibility? -- Should gullible people be blamed for being gullible? -- Is gullibility a personality trait? -- Is gullibility an absence of autonomy? -- Is gullibility part of the legal definition of incompetence? -- Becoming less gullible -- Make it a point to avoid acting impulsively -- Engineer situations that reduce the likelihood of gullible outcomes -- Know one's limitations -- Seek to become more socially intelligent -- Develop a repertoire of disengagement tactics -- Help young people to be less gullible -- Cultivate skepticism but not cynicism -- Gullibility can decrease as one becomes older and wiser.
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references (p. [187]-196) and index.
LCCN 2008033231
ISBN9780313362163 (alk. paper)
ISBN0313362165 (alk. paper)

Availability

Library Location Call Number Status Item Actions
Joyner General Stacks BF637.D42 G74 2009 ✔ Available Place Hold