Self-deception

This is an act or instance of misleading or deceiving oneself – a misconception which seems favourable to the person holding it – and frequently involves the denial or dismissal of the relevance, significance, or importance of contrary evidence and argument. Ostensibly involving an unconscious psychological distortion obstructing the discernment or judgement of facts or the appreciation of some specific state-of-affairs which for some reason or in some way are undesirable or unacceptable to actors. For example, a smoker expressing the view that “If I chose to, I could give up the habit whenever I want, and anyway, it isn’t really as bad as is often made out”.

It has been pointed out that the ability to successfully present a deception to someone else, at least in certain circumstances, seemingly confers a selective advantage in evolutionary terms – and by extension engaging in forms of self- deception may also have beneficial consequences for people, such as a reduction in anxiety or stress, even though it sometimes results in harmful beliefs and behaviour: instances of flawed rationality.

The case is put that one need only hold a false belief, say, that the health effects of smoking aren’t nearly so detrimental as represented, while possessing or being exposed to credible evidence that this is in fact not so, and have some desire or emotion which explains why the belief is accepted and retained. For instance, “[it] steadies my nerves”, “[its] soothing”, “trying to give [it] away is just too difficult and excruciating”, “[it] gives a rush”, or “[it] makes going through the day bearable”, and so on. If the evidence is such that one would ordinarily take it to support a proposition such as the established ill effects of smoking and yet one still believes smoking isn’t really that bad – a circumstance attributable to the desire, emotion, or other motivation exhibited – then one can be said to be ‘self-deceived’ or ‘self-deluded’.

(see also: wishful thinking, denial, Selective exposure, rationalization, special pleading, Expectation, Observer bias, believers, double-blind, Confirmation bias, JFK assassination)