This article is about how people can basically "lie" to themselves through self deception. A group of psychologists did a study where participants had to put their arms in really cold water for as long as they could *most only managed about 30 or 40 seconds. After this they got a lecture about how there are two different types of hearts 1.) A heart that is poorer in health has a shorter life expectancy. and 2.) A heart that is better in health has a longer life expectancy.
The psychologists also told the people that people with heart type #2 were able to hold their arms in the cold water for a longer amount of time. (Of course all of the facts about the two types of hearts and length of holding your arms under water was a lie to deceive the participants). The participants were then subject to holding their arms under water to see if their results changed. 38 of the participants were able to hold their arms under for a longer amount of time then the first time they tried it. 29 of the 38 people denied that they had held their arms under longer on purpose and 9 confessed.. well sort of.
This just goes to show with the right amount of "crap" from other people, we can trick ourselves into thinking just about anything is true. So I have to say, be careful what you listen to! Overall I don't think this article was really very factual, because how much can you honestly learn from people sticking their arms in water.?
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I did this article as well, I found out that I lie to make myself look good. Even though you don't really mean to do it, you some how do anyways. It's kinda a sad thing if you really think about it. You have to lie to make yourself look good, and most of the time you don't realize it.
ReplyDeleteI also read this psyblog. Heather, I know what you're saying. Isn't it terrible how we catch ourselves telling little lies and then asking ourselves "Why did I just say that? It's not even true!" It's almost a subconcious thing, because we get so used to having to lie not only to others but to ourselves that we forget we're even doing it.
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