The Social Psychology of Gullibility

Gullibility, whether we like it or not, is a fundamental characteristic of human beings. In The Social Psychology of Gullibility, Forgas and Baumeister explore what we know about the causes, functions, and consequences of gullibility, and the social psychological processes that promote or inhibit it.

With contributions from leading international researchers, the book reveals what social and cognitive psychology contribute to our understanding of how human judgments and decisions can be distorted and undermined. The chapters discuss the nature and functions of gullibility, the role of cognitive processes in gullibility, the influence of emotion and motivation on gullibility, and social and cultural aspects of gullibility. Underpinned by a wealth of empirical research, contributors explore captivating issues such as the psychology of conspiracy theories, the role of political gullibility, gullibility in science, the role of the internet in fostering gullibility, and the failures of reasoning that contribute to human credulity.

Gullibility has become a dominant topic of interest in public discourse. The Social Psychology of Gullibility is essential reading for researchers, social science students, professionals and practitioners and all those interested in understanding human credulity and the role of gullibility in contemporary public affairs.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Homo credulus: On the Social Psychology of Gullibility

PART I: The Nature and Functions of Credulity

Chapter 2: The Mask of Love and Sexual Gullibility

Chapter 3: Gullible but Functional? Information Repetition and the Formation of Beliefs

Chapter 4: Belief in Conspiracy Theories: Looking Beyond Gullibility

Chapter 5: Psychological Science Meets a Gullible Post-Truth World

PART II: Cognitive Processes and Gullibility

Chapter 6: Towards a Credible Theory of Gullibility

Chapter 7: Metacognitive Myopia: Gullibility as a Major Obstacle in the Way of Rational Behavior

Chapter 8: The Skeptical (Ungullible) Mindset

Chapter 9: Comparing Is Believing: Ease of Comparison as a

Means to Induce Gullibility

PART Ill: Affective and Motivational Processes and Gullibility

Chapter 10: On the Role of Affect in Gullibility: Can Positive Mood Increase, and Negative Mood Reduce Credulity?

Chapter 11: Gullible or Streetwise: How Does the Self Bias Information Processing?

Chapter 12: Gullible to Ourselves

Chapter 13: The Smell of Suspicion: How the Nose Curbs Gullibility

PART IV: Social and Cultural Aspects of Gullibility

Chapter 14: Cultural Fluency, Mindlessness, and Gullibility

Chapter 15: Scientific Gullibility

Chapter 16: Gullibility and the Envelope of Legitimacy

Chapter 17: Belief in Conspiracy Theories: Gullibility or Rational Skepticism?

About the Authors

Joseph P. Forgas is Scientia Professor at the University of New South Wales. His research focuses on cognitive and affective processes in interpersonal behavior. For his work he received the Order of Australia, and the Distinguished Scientific Contribution Award from the Australian Psychological Society.

Roy F. Baumeister is Professor of Psychology at the University of Queensland. His research deals with self and identity, self-control and self-esteem, finding meaning in life, sexuality, gender, aggression and emotion. He received the William James Award from the Association for Psychological Science for his lifetime achievements.