Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Military Deception
Abstract
Investigators from a variety of scientific and social scientific disciplines report results of a group research effort into the nature of military strategic deception. Seven essays are included. Basic concepts which define strategic deception and its variants are identified and the process of deception is analyzed using evidence from the recent past. Deception is found to be reliably advantageous to those who attempt it despite its susceptibility to unforseen contingencies. Psychological biases of individuals and characteristics of organizations are identified which may lend themselves to being deceived. Feedback is identified as a key element in successful deception. Communications theory, game theory, and systems theory are applied to deception to clarify the elements of a theory of deception. Recommendations for countering deception and for further research in the area are made.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA086194
Entities
People
- Donald C. Daniel
- Katherine L. Herbig
- Richards J. Heuer
- Theodore R. Sarbin
- William Reese
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School