Preference falsification - Private Truth, Public Lies

[timosman]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preference_falsification

The idea of preference falsification was put forth by the social scientist Timur Kuran in his book Private Truth, Public Lies as part of his theory of how people's stated preferences are responsive to social influences. It laid the foundation for his theory of why unanticipated revolutions can occur. It is related to ideas of social proof as well as choice blindness. The theory states that individuals convey preferences that differ from what they genuinely want.

Original formulation

According to the theory, when articulating preferences, individuals frequently tailor their choices to what appears socially acceptable. In other words, they convey preferences that differ from what they genuinely want. Kuran calls the resulting misrepresentation "preference falsification". In his 1995 book, Private Truths, Public Lies, he argues that the phenomenon is ubiquitous and that it has huge social and political consequences. These consequences all hinge on interdependencies between individual decisions as to what preference to convey publicly. A person who hides his discontent about a fashion, policy, or political regime makes it harder for others to express discontent.

One socially significant consequence of preference falsification is widespread public support for social options that would be rejected decisively in a vote taken by secret ballot. Privately unpopular policies may be retained indefinitely as people reproduce conformist social pressures through individual acts of preference falsification.

In falsifying preferences, people hide the knowledge on which it rests. In the process, they distort, corrupt, and impoverish the knowledge in the public domain. They make it harder for others to become informed about the drawbacks of existing arrangements and the merits of their alternatives. Another consequence of preference falsification is thus widespread ignorance about the advantages of change. Over long periods, preference falsification can dampen a community's capacity to want change by bringing about intellectual narrowness and ossification.

The first of these consequences is driven by people's need for social approval, the second by their reliance on each other for information.

Kuran has applied these observations to a range of contexts. He has used the theory developed in Private Truths, Public Lies to explain why major political revolutions catch us by surprise, how ethnic tensions can feed on themselves, why India's caste system has been a powerful social force for millennia, and why minor risks sometimes generate mass hysteria.

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[Brian4Liberty]

People are notorious for expressing a preference that does not match what they really want or do. And it doesn't require any outside pressure.

[timosman]

People are notorious for expressing a preference that does not match what they really want or do. And it doesn't require any outside pressure.

Sounds like you haven't done any interviews lately. The pressure is enormous.

[Swordsmyth]

This is why one of the greatest virtues is to speak your mind, doing so will make people either love or hate you rather than simply accept you but everyone will be better off and anyone with a lick of sense will respect you.

It will also get you targeted by those to whom you are a threat faster than anything else you can do.

[timosman]

\\

[timosman]

Anybody've seen a discussion on the subject? Jordan Peterson?

[timosman]

[Suzanimal]

This is why one of the greatest virtues is to speak your mind, doing so will make people either love or hate you rather than simply accept you but everyone will be better off and anyone with a lick of sense will respect you.

It will also get you targeted by those to whom you are a threat faster than anything else you can do.

Ah, yes. And how, exactly is that going to work out for ya? I falsify preferences all the time. Over trivial matters it makes sense because it gains you social leverage. When people like you, they listen to you when you talk about important matters. That's a fact. I'm not saying don't be yourself, I'm just saying some people can't handle the whole truth or don't really care to hear yours (or my) opinion on every goofy matter - even when they ask for it.

For example, I hate the Boho trend and I think it's unflattering and stupid BUT I don't go around spouting off about it to my friends who love it. Why? What does that accomplish? I tell them they look lovely and how I wish those things were flatting on me but I just can't wear that style like they can.

[Swordsmyth]

Ah, yes. And how, exactly is that going to work out for ya? I falsify preferences all the time. Over trivial matters it makes sense because it gains you social leverage. When people like you, they listen to you when you talk about important matters. That's a fact. I'm not saying don't be yourself, I'm just saying some people can't handle the whole truth or don't really care to hear yours (or my) opinion on every goofy matter - even when they ask for it.

For example, I hate the Boho trend and I think it's unflattering and stupid BUT I don't go around spouting off about it to my friends who love it. Why? What does that accomplish? I tell them they look lovely and how I wish those things were flatting on me but I just can't wear that style like they can.

Anything can be taken too far and there is room for variation within the acceptable range.

[pcosmar]

I learned I was no good at kissing ass in 1975.

I quit trying, and the Army let me go,, under honorable conditions.

I am civil yet uncivilized,, I'm house broke.

I am weird enough without making $#@! up.

[pcosmar]

Ah, yes. And how, exactly is that going to work out for ya? I falsify preferences all the time. Over trivial matters .

Yeah but you're a girl.. it's expected.

/ducks