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Can you spot a scam? Why our minds are more susceptible than we think
Intelligence counts for little against scams where emotions are at play
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Your emotional state, preoccupation and confirmation bias can all impede your ability to spot a scam, says the writer.
ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
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Have you ever seen one of those magic shows where a mentalist appears to read the mind of an audience member, or engages in some sort of how-did-he-do-it mental trickery?
I had always wondered if the volunteers were planted – until I found myself onstage as part of a mentalism performance at a luncheon earlier this year. I started out sceptical and wound up befuddled.
