For no reason at all, here's a behavioral scientific review of hypocrisy
Definition of behavior: Hypocrites are people who violate standards that they publically enforce. There are a few types of hypocrite that have been individually studied.
Definition of behavior: Hypocrites are people who violate standards that they publically enforce. There are a few types of hypocrite that have been individually studied.
1. Inconsistent hypocrite: Telling you to do what they will not (ex: a senate leader telling opponents to follow the norms of democracy while he does not)
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P…
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P…
2. Pretense/Moral hypocrite: Appearing to be virtuous, or pretending to hold specific beliefs to curry favor or rewards from an ingroup (ex: the lady picketing the local reproductive health clinic w/ fellow church members the wk after clinic staff helped her get a safe abortion)
3. Accusatory hypocrite: Criticizing another person for faults that are similar to or the same as yours. Projection. (ex: politician saying his opponents' actions are a danger to democracy as he actively destroys democracy)
4. Complacent hypocrites: Goes w/ the flow to keep the peace even when they're aware that the flow is wrong, dangerous, and/or actively hurting ppl (ex: not speaking up when bigoted friends/family say something awful, "minding your business" when someone causes harm to another)
Who's susceptible?
Everyone. Everyone is or will be a hypocrite at some point. It's learned behavior. The trick is to avoid reinforcing it or landing in situations where being evil/fake/amoral is rewarded. In some environments, it's easier said than done. *Stares in capitalism*
Everyone. Everyone is or will be a hypocrite at some point. It's learned behavior. The trick is to avoid reinforcing it or landing in situations where being evil/fake/amoral is rewarded. In some environments, it's easier said than done. *Stares in capitalism*
Where does it come from?
Your brain wanting attention, reputation, and resources. And power.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15822421/
Your brain wanting attention, reputation, and resources. And power.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15822421/
The powerful have, throughout history, under scientific observation, and by admission, imposed rules and norms upon the less powerful that they themselves did not follow.
They harshly judge others for things that they do on their days off.
They harshly judge others for things that they do on their days off.
Power as such is self reinforcing. Rules for thee but not for me is a great way to stay on top. And humans, being social mammals (& also fools who suck at solving problems when they get too big), tend to reinforce the resulting hierachies regardless of where they fall among them.
What about our sense of decency?
Elastic as hell, so don't rely on a hypocrite's morality to change their behavior. They're evil because it pays more and they don't think they'll lose any skin.
researchgate.net/publication/23…
Elastic as hell, so don't rely on a hypocrite's morality to change their behavior. They're evil because it pays more and they don't think they'll lose any skin.
researchgate.net/publication/23…
So then, what the fuck?
Highlighting hypocrisy works in some cases. If it causes public opinion to change, the hypocrite might be motivated to stop fucking around.
But if public opinion varies or is deemed inconsequential, it won't work for powerful hypocrites.
Highlighting hypocrisy works in some cases. If it causes public opinion to change, the hypocrite might be motivated to stop fucking around.
But if public opinion varies or is deemed inconsequential, it won't work for powerful hypocrites.
Welp, that seems like a good place to end the thread 🙂
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