When it comes to books, there are a lot of different things that can go wrong. It’s important to know what you’re looking for before you start reading, so you don’t get taken in by something that’s not worth your time.
Psychologists have discovered some of the most common ways that books can be deceiving. Hopefully this article will help you spot the warning signs and steer clear of these falsehoods.
Appearances Can Be Deceiving
There is no doubt that the appearance of a book is a hugely important component to a good read. The way that the book is laid out, the fonts, the pacing, and even the font color can have an impact on whether or not you enjoy your reading experience. Moreover, the way that the author has written or compiled the text can have an effect on your own personal opinion of what you are reading. For example, the way that the characters are written may affect your opinion of whether or not they are genuine, trustworthy, and true to their word. The way that the text is structured will also have an effect on your perception of the contents. This is especially true if you have been exposed to poor quality writing in the past.
Inaccuracies Can Be Deceiving
Have you ever bought a book and then found that it has printing errors (pages missing, out of sequence, or backwards)? These inaccuracies can be a big turn off for people and may detract from a book’s collectible value.
In addition, it’s possible for a person to mislead someone with a truthful statement that implies that the statement is false (Stokke 2013a). This is called a palter, and there are many examples of palters, including Bill Clinton stating that there was never an improper relationship with his secretary, greeting a famous person by his first name, or making a reservation for a hotel as “Dr.,” intending that other people believe you’re a doctor. These types of lies can be more difficult to detect than inaccuracies, but it’s still not impossible. In fact, some research shows that people are actually above chance levels of accuracy in detecting lies. This is probably due to the fact that deception is often a subconscious behavior and not something we think about carefully.
Secrets Can Be Deceiving
A secret is one of the most common tools of fiction. It fascinates readers, draws them into the story and creates tension. It is also a powerful tool for introducing plot elements.
But secrets can be deceiving if they are not revealed correctly. If they are kept secret for too long, readers may become confused or even unmotivated to solve the mystery.
Similarly, if the secret is not revealed in an effective way, readers may become irritated or even angry. This is especially true if the secret involves the MC.
As a fiction writer, you have to choose your secret carefully. The secret should be well-defined and important to the plot. You should be able to explain why your MC keeps the secret and what it will do for her character.
Scams Can Be Deceiving
Scammers use the power of words and their imagination to convince you that they are legitimate and that they will help you or your business. They may impersonate a government agency, a charity institution or a renowned health provider. They can also trick you into paying money for things you didn’t order or a product you didn’t receive.
Sophisticated scams use your emotions to create a sense of urgency, such as when you receive a phone call claiming your service is going to be cut off. They can also use the power of a web page to lure you into submitting personal information, such as credit card numbers.
While some people are more susceptible to scams than others, the best way to protect yourself is to be aware of them and know what to look for. Getting educated about the most common scams can make all the difference in avoiding them or reporting them to authorities.
