[Part 3] Why are people deceived by lies? Considering the true nature of 'trust' from the perspectives of neuroscience and behavioral psychology

Hello everyone!
It's me, your behavioral psychologist.

[Part 1]

In that part, we organized our thoughts on how we tend to trust others based on first impressions.

[Part 2]

In that part, I talked about how there is no universal sign that says 'this gesture means a lie,' and that you cannot judge someone based on a single expression or gesture alone.

So, why do we still trust people and sometimes get deceived?

Actually, the answer is hidden not only in the other person's behavior but also in the workings of our own brains.

This time, I would like to think about the true nature of 'trust' and 'assumptions' from the perspectives of neuroscience and behavioral psychology.

⚠️Caution⚠️

The analysis introduced here is not a personality diagnosis.

You cannot judge someone based on a single expression or gesture alone.

What is important is,

• the flow

• the context

• the changes

• the direction of emotions

• the gap from reality

.

The goal is not to doubt, but to understand.

Please do not forget that sincerity is what matters most.

1. The brain prioritizes 'prediction' over 'fact'

In [Part 1], we discussed how we tend to trust others based on our first impressions.

So, why are first impressions so powerful?

In recent cognitive neuroscience, it is believed that our brains do not simply accept the world before us as it is, but rather,

process information while constantly predicting 'what will happen next'

is considered to be the case.

This concept is called 'Predictive Processing'.

In other words, we may not be judging after seeing, but rather seeing while predicting instead.

1. For example,

once you have a first impression like this, information that matches that impression naturally becomes easier to notice.

Conversely, actions that do not match that impression may be unconsciously brushed aside.

In short, what we see is not just the facts themselves, but also a world constructed by the brain while it makes predictions.

2. How do the amygdala and prefrontal cortex judge people?

So, how are those 'predictions' made?

In neuroscience, the amygdala is known as the brain region that quickly processes emotional information, such as danger and fear.

When you meet someone for the first time and

feel,

it is possible that this kind of emotional processing is involved.

However, we do not judge people solely based on our amygdala.

The prefrontal cortexplays the role of considering whether that intuition is valid, while also taking into account experience, context, and social rules.

In other words, we judge whether someone is 'trustworthy' by using both intuition and logic.

That is precisely why it is difficult to understand people accurately using only intuition or only logic.

3. Why do cognitive biases occur?

Here, I would like you to recall the idea discussed in [Part 2] that 'you cannot judge someone based on a single gesture'.

So, why do we jump to conclusions based on just one action?

One reason for this is cognitive bias.

2. For example

Confirmation Biasis a phenomenon where it becomes easier to collect only information that supports the idea you initially believed.

Also, the Halo Effectis the tendency for one positive impression to elevate the evaluation of the person as a whole.

3. For example

• They have a lovely smile, so they must be sincere

• They are good at their job, so they must have a great personality

• They are famous, so they must be trustworthy

Such judgments can happen to anyone.

That is why it is not only 'gullible people' who get deceived.

It is because the human brain itself possesses a mechanism designed to make judgments efficiently.

4. How to view people, as taught by behavioral psychology

So, what should we be looking at?

The most important thing I have felt while studying behavioral psychology is to look at 'consistency' rather than 'a single moment'.

• Everyone gets nervous

• Everyone fails (including fearing failure)

• Everyone makes slips of the tongue

Therefore, you cannot judge someone based on a single reaction.

What you should really look at is behavior that is repeated over time (i.e., looking at clusters in a composite way).

• Do they keep their promises?

• Do they take responsibility?

• How do they behave when things become inconvenient?

• Is there consistency in how they treat others?

It is the accumulation of these actions that reveals a person's true character.

Psychology is not a study of finding a single gesture, but a study of understanding human behavioral patterns.

5. Facing people with sincerity

There is one thing I wanted to convey most through this series.

The purpose of studying psychology is not to 'expose lies' or to 'doubt people'.

I believe it is to understand others while simultaneously becoming aware of our own assumptions.

[Part 1] taught us that first impressions create trust.

[Part 2] taught us that you cannot judge a lie based on a single gesture.

And what has become clear this time is that the person we should be most careful about is not just others, but our own perceptions and assumptions.

That is why, when looking at people, you should not look at just one action, but

• Observe the flow

• Observe the context

• Observe changes (comprehensively, and relative to a baseline)

And, question not only the other person, but also your own judgment.

I believe that this attitude reduces misunderstandings, fosters trust, and leads to better human relationships.

Isn't that what leads to the 'sincerity' that I value so much?

References

• Asch, S. E. (1946) 'Forming Impressions of Personality'

• Ambady, N., & Rosenthal, R. (1992) 'Thin Slices of Expressive Behavior as Predictors of Interpersonal Consequences'

• Vrij, A. (2008) 'Detecting Lies and Deceit: Pitfalls and Opportunities'; Kahneman, D. (2011) 'Thinking, Fast and Slow'

• Clark, A. (2013) 'Whatever Next? Predictive Brains, Situated Agents, and the Future of Cognitive Science'

• LeDoux, J. (1996) 'The Emotional Brain'

In closing

Thank you for reading this far!
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Please also consider email consultations

If you are interested in

• behavioral psychology

• reading gestures

• interpersonal relationships

• communication

and so on.

If you are someone who feels this way, please consider reaching out for a consultation via email.

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Magazine

Here are the magazines I have participated in!
I am truly grateful, and I look forward to continuing this connection!

Also, this article of mine was featured, so please take a look and read it.

Here are some others!

The "I remember..." series is a five-part work, so if you'd like, I think it will be easier to understand if you read it from the beginning.

I also recommend this!

Please check this out as well!

For those who want to learn more, deepen their understanding of reading gestures, and study diagrams and case-specific responses, please see the paid articles.

*Recommended for those who want to correctly understand gestures and engage in dialogue that utilizes "hospitality" and "sincerity" while reducing misunderstandings.
Also, everyone, please take care of your health and bodies.
See you later!!!