NCJ Number
7332
Date Published
1972
Length
340 pages
Annotation
SERIES OF OBSERVATIONS BASED ON SYSTEMATIC STUDIES OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE CONSISTENTLY DECEIVED OTHERS OR WHO, AS VICTIMS, HAVE BEEN DECEIVED.
Abstract
THIS WORK EXAMINES SUCH TRUST VIOLATORS AS CONFIDENCE MEN, SPIES, DEFECTORS, AND INFORMERS, USING SUCH METHODS OF THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES AS PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS, PARTICIPANT OBSERVER TECHNIQUES AND CASE STUDIES. AFTER A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF DECEPTION THE AUTHOR DESCRIBES CONFIDENCE MEN, THE MANNER IN WHICH THEY OPERATE, THEIR POINTS OF VIEW, THEIR INTERESTS, AND CERTAIN FEATURES OF THEIR PERSONALITIES. THE VICTIMS OF SUCH BEGUILERS ARE CONSIDERED WITH ATTENTION BEING PAID TO THE NATURE OF DECEPTION. PERSONS WHO BETRAY THEIR ALLEGIANCE TO THE GOVERNMENT ARE DISCUSSED FROM AN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE AND A DETAILED STUDY OF POLITICAL DEFECTORS IS INCLUDED. A PROFILE OF THE TYPE OF PERSON MOST LIKELY TO ENGAGE IN INFORMING REVEALS THAT THEY ARE AVERAGE IN INTELLIGENCE, MUCH IN NEED OF PRAISE, NEEDING TO FEEL IMPORTANT, REQUIRING APPRECIATION, AND EXCITEMENT SEEKING. THE INFORMER IS ALSO INVESTIGATED FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF THOSE ABOUT WHOM HE MIGHT GIVE INFORMATION. THE APPENDIX INCLUDES NUMEROUS EXAMPLES OF CONFIDENCE GAMES. (SNI ABSTRACT)