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Self-Deceived Individuals Are Better at Deceiving Others

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  • Shakti Lamba
  • Vivek Nityananda

Abstract

Self-deception is widespread in humans even though it can lead to disastrous consequences such as airplane crashes and financial meltdowns. Why is this potentially harmful trait so common? A controversial theory proposes that self-deception evolved to facilitate the deception of others. We test this hypothesis in the real world and find support for it: Overconfident individuals are overrated by observers and underconfident individuals are judged by observers to be worse than they actually are. Our findings suggest that people may not always reward the more accomplished individual but rather the more self-deceived. Moreover, if overconfident individuals are more likely to be risk-prone then by promoting them we may be creating institutions, including banks and armies, which are more vulnerable to risk. Our results reveal practical solutions for assessing individuals that circumvent the influence of self-deception and can be implemented in a range of organizations including educational institutions.

Suggested Citation

  • Shakti Lamba & Vivek Nityananda, 2014. "Self-Deceived Individuals Are Better at Deceiving Others," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(8), pages 1-6, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0104562
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104562
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Anderson, Cameron & Brion, Sebastien & Moore, Don A. & Kennedy, Jessica A., 2012. "A status-enhancement account of overconfidence," Institute for Research on Labor and Employment, Working Paper Series qt6s5812wf, Institute of Industrial Relations, UC Berkeley.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Gordon R T Wright & Christopher J Berry & Caroline Catmur & Geoffrey Bird, 2015. "Good Liars Are Neither ‘Dark’ Nor Self-Deceptive," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(6), pages 1-11, June.
    3. Botond Kőszegi & George Loewenstein & Takeshi Murooka, 2022. "Fragile Self-Esteem [Students’ Response to Academic Setback: “Growth Mindset” as a Buffer against Demotivation]," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 89(4), pages 2026-2060.
    4. Malika Ihle & Isabel S. Winney & Anna Krystalli & Michael Croucher, 2017. "Striving for transparent and credible research: practical guidelines for behavioral ecologists," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 28(2), pages 348-354.

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