<p>Robert Trivers argues that we deceive ourselves in order to better deceive others, in part because self-deception can reduce unconscious body signals of lying (von Hippel &amp; Trivers, 2011).</p>

<p>On Wikipedia, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-deception" rel="nofollow noreferrer" title="Self-deception - Wikipedia">self-deception</a> is criticized for </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>...not being able to account for why evolutionary selection for lying would allow a body language that gives away lying to exist instead of simply selecting for lack of such signals. (Ekman, 2006; Damasio, Evans &amp; Cruse, 2004) ...</p>
</blockquote>

<p>What are the main arguments against this criticism?</p>

<p><strong>References</strong></p>

<p>von Hippel, W., &amp; Trivers, R. (2011). The evolution and psychology of self-deception. The Behavioral and brain sciences, 34(1), 1–56. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X10001354" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X10001354</a></p>

<p>Ekman, P. (Ed.). (2006). Darwin and facial expression: A century of research in review. Ishk.</p>

<p>Damasio, A. R., Evans, D., &amp; Cruse, P. (2004). Emotion, evolution and rationality. William James and the modern neurobiology of emotion, 3-14.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-06-07T01:01:04.277Z
Is this similar to "it takes one to know one"?
Tony Mobbs
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-06-07T10:09:15.560Z
for a philosophical approach, probably Sartre
Ooker
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-06-08T06:32:40.773Z
The question is not related to "it takes one to know one" because self-deception is not about detecting deception in others but rather about being deceptive more effectively.
Jared Jacobsen
<cognitive-psychology><evolutionary-psychology><deception>
Why is self-deception necessary to better deceive others?
Jared Jacobsen
# Why is self-deception necessary to better deceive others?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-06-06)

Robert Trivers argues that we deceive ourselves in order to better deceive others, in part because self-deception can reduce unconscious body signals of lying (von Hippel & Trivers, 2011).

On Wikipedia, [self-deception](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-deception "Self-deception - Wikipedia") is criticized for

> ...not being able to account for why evolutionary selection for lying would allow a body language that gives away lying to exist instead of simply selecting for lack of such signals. (Ekman, 2006; Damasio, Evans & Cruse, 2004) ...

What are the main arguments against this criticism?

**References**

von Hippel, W., & Trivers, R. (2011). The evolution and psychology of self-deception. The Behavioral and brain sciences, 34(1), 1–56. <https://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X10001354>

Ekman, P. (Ed.). (2006). Darwin and facial expression: A century of research in review. Ishk.

Damasio, A. R., Evans, D., & Cruse, P. (2004). Emotion, evolution and rationality. William James and the modern neurobiology of emotion, 3-14.

**Tags:** cognitive-psychology, evolutionary-psychology, deception

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Is this similar to "it takes one to know one"?  
> **username_2**: for a philosophical approach, probably Sartre  
> **username_0**: The question is not related to "it takes one to know one" because self-deception is not about detecting deception in others but rather about being deceptive more effectively.  

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## 0 answers

