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Chapter 14 - Why Would Anyone Do or Believe Such a Thing?
- By Anthony R. Pratkanis
Edited by Robert J. Sternberg, Cornell University, New York, Diane F. Halpern, Claremont McKenna College, California
Book:

Critical Thinking in Psychology

Published online:

19 December 2019

Print publication:

16 January 2020, pp 328-353
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Summary

Why do we do and believe crazy things? Two common but mostly wrong answers to this question are: (a) you have to be crazy to do crazy things and (b) people who do crazy things must be infected by crazy influence. A social-influence analysis addresses this question by identifying and describing the social-influence tactics that are common to situations producing crazy beliefs and behavior. Identification of these tactics and their typical effects is essential for understanding the power of the situation and for developing our own critical skills at appraising situations. The chapter concludes with six steps to take for reducing susceptibility to undue influence.