Self-Deception and Emotional Coherence

Authors: Sahdra B.; Thagard P.

Source: Minds and Machines, Volume 13, Number 2, May 2003 , pp. 213-231(19)

Publisher: Springer

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $47.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

This paper proposes that self-deception results from the emotional coherence of beliefs with subjective goals. We apply the HOTCO computational model of emotional coherence to simulate a rich case of self-deception from Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. We argue that this model is more psychologically realistic than other available accounts of self-deception, and discuss related issues such as wishful thinking, intention, and the division of the self.

Keywords: coherence; desire; emotion; self; self-deception; simulation; wishful thinking

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: University of Waterloo, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, 200 University Avenue West, N2L 3G1, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Publication date: 2003-05-01