Why we lie : the evolutionary roots of deception and the unconscious mind

Smith, David Livingston 1953- (Author).

Summary: "Now, for the first time, philosopher and evolutionary psychologist David Livingstone Smith elucidates the essential role that deception and self deception have played in human - and animal - evolution and demonstrates that the very structure of our minds has been shaped from our earliest beginnings by the need to deceive. Smith shows us that by examining the stories we tell, the falsehoods we weave, and the unconscious signals we send out, we can learn much about ourselves and how our minds work."--BOOK JACKET.

Record details

ISBN: 9780312310400 (pbk.)
ISBN: 0312310404 (pbk.)
Physical Description: print
ix, 238 p. ; 21 cm.
Publisher: New York : St. Martin's Griffin, c2004.

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:	Includes bibliographical references and index.
Formatted Contents Note:	1. Natural-born liars -- 2. Manipulators and mind readers -- 3. evolution of Machiavelli -- 4. architecture of the Machiavellian mind -- 5. Social poker -- 6. Hot gossip -- 7. Machiavelli on the couch -- 8. Conspiratorial whispers and covert operations -- Coda : Descartes's demon -- App. I. Unconscious creativity -- App. II. Psychological biases and defense mechanisms.