A Cascade of Failure

In psychology, the tendency to believe something without critical examination or
skepticism can be referred to using various terms, depending on the context and the
specific cognitive processes involved. I’ve written about several of these terms and concepts in this post.

Gullibility

This term describes a person’s predisposition to believe or accept information
without sufficient evidence or due diligence. Gullibility implies a lack of critical thinking
and an openness to manipulation.

Confirmation Bias

While not the same, confirmation bias is a cognitive bias that can lead
individuals to accept information aligning with their existing beliefs while rejecting or
ignoring contradictory evidence.

Trust

Trust in others’ words or authority figures can also lead to a lack of critical
examination. Excessive trust in someone’s word can result in accepting information
without verification.

Authority Bias

People may be inclined to believe information presented by authority
figures, such as experts or trusted individuals, without scrutinizing it thoroughly. These
terms and concepts all describe various aspects of the psychological processes that can
lead to accepting information as true without critical examination. The specific term used
may depend on the focus of the research or discussion within psychology. They may
accept information that aligns with their existing beliefs to avoid this discomfort.
Information

Cascades

Information cascades occur when individuals base their decisions or beliefs on
the actions or beliefs of others, often without fully evaluating the information themselves.

This can lead to a chain reaction of people accepting information without independent
examination.

Naivete

Naïveté refers to a lack of experience or sophistication, often associated with a
tendency to believe in the honesty or accuracy of others without question.

Cognitive Dissonance

In some cases, people may avoid examining information critically to reduce
cognitive dissonance, which is the discomfort that arises when holding conflicting beliefs.
Naïveté, characterized by a lack of experience or sophistication, is often closely linked to
trauma’s impact on an individual. When core beliefs, such as “all life is sacred,” are
shattered by tragedy, this can lead to a cascade of failures in related beliefs about
fairness, justice, and happiness. This disruption can result in profound psychological
distress.

For some, addiction may appear as a temporary solution to cope with the suffering.
Initially, it might offer relief or an escape from pain. However, when addiction ultimately
fails to provide lasting solace, it often intensifies the original trauma, leading to even
greater suffering. This cycle illustrates the complex relationship between naïveté, trauma,
and addiction, highlighting how deeply these psychological processes are interconnected.

References:

1. Van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the
   Healing of Trauma. Viking.
2. Maté, G. (2008). In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction.
   North Atlantic Books.
3. Perry, B. D., & Szalavitz, M. (2006). The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog: And Other
   Stories from a Child Psychiatrist’s Notebook. Basic Books.
4. Brown, B. (2010). The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re
   Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are. Hazelden Publishing.
5. Herman, J. L. (1992). Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence—from
   Domestic Abuse to Political Terror. Basic Books.