Question

What is self-deception? Is self-deception a positive or a negative aspect of human psychology? Please provide a basis and support for your argument. You may use example from any of the materials for this week.

Answer 1

Self-deception involves convincing ourself of something that does not reveal any self-knowledge of the deception. Humans try to deceive themselves when not able to deceive others to gain an advantage over others. Simple instances of self-deception include common occurrences such as: the alcoholic who is self-deceived in believing that his drinking is under control, the husband who is self-deceived in believing that his wife is not having an affair, the jealous colleague who is self-deceived in believing that her colleague's greater professional success is due to ruthless ambition. I think self -deception can be both a positive aspect as well as negative aspect. For example, people who are overly optimistic about their own abilities often have enhanced motivation, which enables them to do better in the face of challenges so it is a positive aspect. But the alcoholic who is self-deceived in believing that his drinking is under control, represents negative aspect of it.