Deception - Definition and Overview

Deception is providing intentionally misleading information to others.

• Mimicry: The resememblance, through natural selection, of on organism to another, or to a natural object. Animals often attempt to deceive predators or prey by their appearance or behavior.
• Deception is used to hide secret information.
• Camouflage is a form of visual deception used in war.
• A disguise is an appearance to create the impression of being somebody or something else; for a well-known person this is also called incognito.
• Propaganda frequently involves deception.
• Deception is a reality and therefore a fascinating paradox.
• Deceiving one's opponent is important in many aspects of game theory.

In many cases it is difficult, even in hindsight, to distinguish deception by somebody or an organization from providing unintentionally wrong information. One of the reasons is that a person or an entire organization may be self-deceived.

See also

• Communications deception
• Confidence trick
• Electronic deception
• Forgery
• Fraud
• Good cop/bad cop
• Hoax
• Lie
• Misdirection
• Phishing
• Psychological warfare
• Secrecy
• Spin (public relations)
• Sting operation
• Selectivity

References

• Bruce Schneier, Secrets and Lies