John Petrocelli is a social psychologist and professor of psychology at Wake Forest University, in Winston-Salem, N.C. He researches the causes and consequences of B.S., to help us improve our ability to detect and dispose of it. His studies have found that people tend to spread B.S. when they feel obligated to have an opinion about something they know little about—and when they feel they aren’t going to be challenged on it.
Dr. Petrocelli says that some B.S.—such as flattery or an opinion about something inconsequential, like a TV show—serves a purpose: It connects us. But B.S. can often be dangerous, such as when people spread false rumors about a person; repeat information about current events that is not based on truth; or sugarcoat facts in a way that leads us to make a poor decision.
I spoke with Dr. Petrocelli about who spreads B.S., when we’re susceptible to it, and how we can confront it. Here are edited excerpts of our conversation.
EBernsteinWSJ I read your headlines. My B.S. detector is very sharp
EBernsteinWSJ Yes. You just published some grade-A, 100% pasture-fed bovine excreta from Donald Trump.
EBernsteinWSJ WSJ should know - u sling a ton of BS
EBernsteinWSJ More BS? The year has been loaded with it.
EBernsteinWSJ Actually with the amount of B.S. proliferating on social media — including this platform — we’ve never been more ready! 😎
EBernsteinWSJ You can earn up to $103 daily with the use of your cellphone or PC, send me a direct message to know more about this project.
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