19th July 2006, 2:26 PM
It's true! I forget the name of one of those studies in particular, but you are right.
However, it is well established as well that this is not an absolute of human behavior. What hasn't been confirmed as of yet is whether or not those few exceptions who seem able to apply some actual logic to a given situation are genetically dispositioned to behave that way or if it is a matter of the power of mental thinking (check your Becktionary!). This is mere anecdote, so take it with a grain of salt, but as for myself I've sort of drifted between "tool" and "not quite as much of a tool, or at least aware enough of my own mental weaknesses to be able to notice a lot more manipulations and counter them than in the past".
However, it is well established as well that this is not an absolute of human behavior. What hasn't been confirmed as of yet is whether or not those few exceptions who seem able to apply some actual logic to a given situation are genetically dispositioned to behave that way or if it is a matter of the power of mental thinking (check your Becktionary!). This is mere anecdote, so take it with a grain of salt, but as for myself I've sort of drifted between "tool" and "not quite as much of a tool, or at least aware enough of my own mental weaknesses to be able to notice a lot more manipulations and counter them than in the past".
"On two occasions, I have been asked [by members of Parliament], 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?' I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question." ~ Charles Babbage (1791-1871)