Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Becoming a more critical thinker
• Part 2 of 3: Gathering more information
• Part 3 of 3: Preventing scams and scams
• To know some "inescapable facts"

Do other people ever make fun of you for being too naive? Have you fallen victim to an email scam, signing up for a dubious service because you were too nice to say no? Do you tend to take everything people say as true? If so, it may be necessary to work on not being so gullible all the time. While it is a good quality to be of good faith, you don't want your trust in people to put you in dire situations. If you want to work on being less gullible, it is important to think more critically and question your sources of information.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Becoming a more critical thinker

1. Don't rush to make big decisions. Hasty making big decisions can have consequences that you later regret. Some people use this tactic to persuade people to make commitments without fully understanding the consequences of those commitments — a tactic widely used by real estate agents, potential employers, and even partners. A spontaneous decision is usually a poorly thought out decision
   • Don't make your decisions based on what someone thinks just because you are afraid of making the wrong decision. If you're indecisive, people who want something from you will be able to use it against you. They will assure you that you are making the right decision. Why do you still have doubts at all? But if someone is afraid that you would rather wait for a second opinion, would rather do some research yourself, or would rather go through your options again ... then that is a warning sign.
   • Beware of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). FOMO can mean that you fear that if you don't act now, you will miss an opportunity that will never happen again. Chances are, however, that this is not the case.
   • Know that people who try to force you to make a quick decision, instead of giving you time to make an informed choice, usually do so because they don't want you to investigate yourself at all. Of course they don't want you to see them selling castles in the air.
2. Be more skeptical. While you may not want to become a complete skeptic to avoid being gullible, if you tend to be too naive, it is probably wise to approach situations a little more critically. Whether your brother tells you a story about your neighbor or a telemarketer tries to offer you an offer on your phone plan doesn't matter - it's all about being on the lookout. Ask yourself and the person next to you if the information you are getting could possibly be correct.
   • Okay, in some social situations, this might be a bit more annoying than it would be if you were very lenient and went along with everything. However, it will keep you from being gullible.
   • When you learn new information, ask yourself how well you can trust the source, how likely it is that the information is correct, and what counter arguments you can come up with to prove otherwise.
3. Let people do their best to earn your trust. Of course, you don't have to become completely suspicious to be less naive. However, if you want to be less gullible, then of course you cannot trust everyone. Get to know and bond with people first, be it with a colleague or with a new flame. Letting people prove themselves to you, instead of just simply copying everything they say, is evidence of strong critical thinking.
   • People who are gullible tend to trust anyone who provides them with information, especially when they see those as older and wiser. However, don't let someone's age or authority fool you into believing something that's not true. People have to prove themselves to you first, regardless of their age.
   • If you start to trust people from the start, chances are they will take advantage of you. They could persuade you to do something that is not good for you at all.
4. Don't jump to conclusions. If you want to be less gullible, then you should not draw any conclusions until you know all the facts. Just because your teacher hasn't been to school for a day doesn't necessarily mean he's fired - even if your best friend claims he was. Just because your boss was extra nice to you this week doesn't mean you'll be promoted anytime soon. Make sure to gather all the information you need before coming to conclusions.
   • People who are gullible sometimes don't want to take the time to find out if something is really true or not. However, this is exactly what you should do if you want to avoid falling into the trap.
5. Avoid anything that seems too good to be true. The fact is that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Whether the prince in shining armor is trying to woo you or your friend asks you to invest in a company that will make you “guaranteed” money, question any situation that will solve all your problems before you get into it. steps. If you feel like the ultimate opportunity is up for grabs, chances are there's a catch.
   • “The sun rises for nothing” is a truth like a cow. If you are offered a great opportunity, then you will probably have to do something for it. There is no one who just wants to give you a big bundle of money, or a great gift, or a piece of land - at least not without wanting something in return.
   • Ask yourself, "How does the other person benefit from this situation?" If someone offers you a gift voucher, what is their motivation? Would he / she really do this out of the goodness of his / her heart?
6. Know that gullibility has its evolutionary advantages. While it is admirable to work on being less gullible, you should know that gullibility is not that bad at all. In fact, British ethologist Richard Dawkins argues that gullibility helps us survive as children. It's the gullibility that you make your parents believe when they tell you not to go out because there are scary monsters there, or when they tell you not to play by the ditch because the bogeyman is there. To some extent, this type of thinking keeps you alive.
   • This does not mean that you should continue your gullibility, but that your gullibility should not frustrate you. Chances are, your gullibility has served you more times than you think.
7. Don't think that anecdotal evidence always proves the truth. People who are gullible tend to hear one story about a particular phenomenon and then take it as evidence for a greater truth. Don't make hasty generalizations based on a story you've heard. Hone your critical thinking skills by learning as much about situations as you can before you decide for yourself whether something is true or not. While stories can help you better understand situations, and they can put statistics and big issues in a more human context, under no circumstances should they be your sole source of information.
   • Suppose a friend of yours says: “I wouldn't take a Volvo. My cousin has a Volvo, but it is more often at the mechanic's than at the door. You better take a Golf. ” While he may share a truth about someone's experience with Volvo, that doesn't mean that is true of all Volvos.

Part 2 of 3: Gathering more information

1. Assess the reliability of the source. Getting as much information as possible about a particular situation can help you become less gullible. You can do this by assessing the reliability of the source from which you get the information. Whether you're reading a headline or hearing infamous gossip, ask yourself if the source of information is reputable and / or peer-reviewed, or if the source has misled you before. You cannot believe everything you hear or read on the internet. If you do, you will become one of those people who think De Speld's news stories are based on the truth.
   • If you're reading an online news story, find out where the information is coming from. Do a little research on the newspaper or magazine, see how long it has been around, who is contributing to it, and whether it is an academic and / or reputable resource.
   • See if the source is an authority on the field. If your cousin is trying to convince you to buy a particular car and he doesn't have a driver's license himself, chances are he has no idea what he's talking about.
2. Look for evidence. Before you believe or decide anything, you should make sure that you have looked carefully and thoroughly for evidence. Don't take what your friend tells you indiscriminately, but investigate the situation by searching reliable sources on the Internet, by visiting the local library, or by asking experts in the field if it is indeed correct. People who are gullible are often lazy too - they think it's less hassle to just take what others have to say instead of doing their best to investigate for themselves # * If you find out the truth about academia To find out the matter, make sure you read a peer-reviewed journal to make sure the source is reliable. You don't want to get your academic information from someone's personal blog unless they are a respected academic.
   • Today, the library is undervalued as a source of information. If you want to use it but feel a little embarrassed about it, you can ask the librarian how to look up that information.
3. Admit you don't know everything. Coming to terms with the fact that, like the rest of the world, you still have a lot to learn is also a good way to be less gullible. If you pretend you know everything and simply accept everything you read or hear as truth, then you will continue to live your life without ever disputing your own views. By admitting that you do not know much about politics, for example, you achieve much more. It can help you see that your aunt's oversimplified arguments about Geert Wilders may not be as convincing as you first thought.
   • Admitting that you don't know everything there is to know is humble. This is the first step you need to take to become a more critical thinker and understand that arguments are often a lot more complicated than they might seem.
   • While you have to admit to yourself that you don't know everything, don't be too eager to share it with others. For example, if you want to buy a car, it is not wise to tell the car salesman that you know nothing about cars. If you do show that you don't know much about something, then the chance that people will take advantage of you increases a lot.
4. Read more. Information gatherers are always reading and learning. They don't just get their news from one source, nor read the books of a select few authors. They are always looking for new knowledge, whether they read from Arnon Grünberg's new novel or from The Quest. They are insatiable because they know that there is much more behind everything than the first impression suggests, and are always determined to find out exactly what that is.
   • Take some time to read every day, or at least every week. You can approach it systematically and learn as much as possible about geology or contemporary poetry, but you can also just read what seems interesting to you that week. The most important thing is to develop a thirst for knowledge and never, ever cease the search for knowledge; keep exploring and discovering the world around you.
   • If people know you are well-read and up to date, they are less likely to try to trick you or trick you.
5. Do not hesitate to ask questions. If you want to be less gullible, you can do so by asking as many questions as you need to to fully understand the situation. Whether you are considering buying a new car or a house, or if your older sibling is explaining to you the best way to dye your hair, it is important to gather as much information as possible before making a decision whether agree on something with someone. Many people are afraid to ask questions because doing so will allow them to admit that they don't know, but it is the best way to avoid being gullible and taking things too quickly.
   • In addition, you will be less likely to be fooled or ripped off if you are known as someone who asks a lot of questions.
   • Asking thousands of questions during class could disconcert the teacher a bit. Just ask what you really need right now and ask the teacher any further questions after class.
6. Ask for a second opinion and for a third opinion. If you really want to think critically and examine situations thoroughly, you should avoid getting all your information or opinions from one source. One source is not a source. Maybe your friend or cousin has told you his / her way is the best way to bake apple pie or mow the grass, but it's better to ask someone else for their opinion or look it up online . If you have only heard the “fact” from one person, you are more likely to be misled than if you ask several people for their opinion.
   • The same goes for how you read your news. Avoid getting all your news from a source. If you do that, then the chance that that news is biased is quite high. Read through at least two or three news sources to avoid falling prey to tricks, half-truths, or whole untruths.

Part 3 of 3: Preventing scams and scams

1. Say "no" - it's okay not to be "nice." Gullible people are too polite or nice to say "no". People are taught not to hurt others, and that saying "no" is somehow rude. People are also taught to trust people in general, and that saying “no” could indicate mistrust. However, it is perfectly polite and appropriate to refuse something you don't want, especially if a salesperson or someone you don't know is trying to sell you something.
   • People can turn the desire to be seen as "nice" to make it seem rude or mean to say "no". This is especially true of bad men who try to persuade women to do something.
   • If something doesn't feel right, then you better be on your guard - if you aren't, you could be getting ripped off.
   • But of course you don't want to get paranoid. You don't have to think that everyone who talks to you is planning to scam you. Still, it is better to err on the side of caution, especially if you are often accused of gullibility.
   • If someone tries to sell you something, you have to be extra careful. Ask yourself if you really want the product or service. Does it seem like a really good offer to you or are you afraid to say “no” because you feel sorry for that person?
2. Don't listen to gossip and rumors. If you don't want to be gullible, then you better ignore gossip and rumors - whether it's about Kim Kardashian or the hottest boy / girl in school. Usually gossip and rumors stem from jealousy, boredom, or meanness, and usually there is no truth in them. Get into the habit of thinking that a gossip or rumor is unlikely to be true, instead of assuming them to be true every time.
   • Think about it: if someone has started a gossip or rumor about you, you don't want everyone to believe it right, do you? Work on being less gullible and assuming that gossip is gossip — and nothing more than that.
   • If you've built a reputation as someone who believes everything, then people are going to make fun of you with completely false gossip - if only to tease you.
3. Be skeptical of people who have tricked you before. Whether it's your annoying girlfriend, an older brother, or a wacky neighbor who has tricked you once, you should be wary of this person giving you any more “information”. Even if the person is just doing it for fun, you need to be on the alert - it could just be that this person will cheat you again in the future. If the person really enjoys poking fun at you, they will probably prefer to do so when other people are around. It is therefore important to be extra careful when your older brother has invited his five best friends and tells you something with a big grin on his face.
   • Know that it can take a while for trust to be rebuilt. If someone has tricked you, you shouldn't confide in them right away.
   • If the person clearly intends to sell you something ridiculous, roll your eyes and say something like, "Ha-ha, funny say" to show that you are not going to be tricked again.
4. Avoid email scams. Don't trust people who ask you for money via email that they are distant relatives or tell you to click on a link to cash in your $ 10,000. These people hope that you are gullible enough to fall for this trick. If you see such messages appearing in your spam, delete them immediately and don't be fooled. Some people will tell you pathetic stories about themselves and ask you for money at the same time - don't be so naive as to fall for this.
   • If you receive e-mail about cash prizes that you have won in competitions that you have not entered, you can immediately refer them to the trash. Everyone wants to believe that there is a big pile of money with their name on it, but that chance is of course not realistic.
5. Learn to reject sellers. Gullible people are also often tricked when salespeople suck them in with their smooth talk - this can be on the phone, on the street or even at the front door. You should learn to be polite yet firm, thank the seller in question but say you're not interested, and avoid signing up for digital newsletters or otherwise exchanging personal information - such as your address, phone number, etc. just like you have to go somewhere and you don't have time to listen. Act like someone who cannot be easily fooled.
   • Although salespeople do not necessarily try to scam or trick you, the chance that you will be tricked or scammed is a lot higher if you let people convince you to buy certain products / services that you are not even interested in at first. in.
6. Learn to read someone's expression. By paying close attention to someone's body language and facial expression, you can tell if someone is just trying to make fun of you. If the person in question grins a little, looks away, or tells you something a little too eagerly, it could just be that he / she is trying to trick you. If the person comes across as serious but you think he / she is trying to hold back his / her laugh when he / she looks away for a moment, then you are likely to be cheated. If the person in question is telling you something but cannot look you in the eye, then he / she is probably not telling the (whole) truth.
   • You can also find out if someone is lying by listening to how confident their voice sounds. While some crooks have elevated their words to an art form, the less experienced crooks might mumble or often say "um" or "uh" when trying to tell you something that is clearly not true.
   • See how the person responds when you ask a question. If he / she lies to you, then the chance that he / she is startled or not prepared for it is a lot higher.
7. Be on your guard on April 1. April 1st, frog in your butt - maybe the worst day to be gullible. When you get up on this beautiful day, you better assume that everyone will try to trick you or try to make you believe a ridiculous story. Think carefully about what your friends, siblings, and even your teachers are saying to you that day. Make sure you don't take anything you are told on this day indiscriminately. While most parents probably don't want to trick you, of course you don't want someone to say "Ha-ha, April 1st!" screams and embarrasses you for falling for a stupid trick.
   • Also pay close attention to things you read or hear in the news. Many newspapers and newsreels like to tell fop stories on April 1. So pay close attention to prevent you from posting a news story on your Facebook or emailing your friends without realizing that you have been cheated.
   • Try to turn the tables on this day. Try to fool the people who call you gullible on April 1st!

To know some "inescapable facts"

1. Naivety and innocence will not protect you from people who want to take advantage of you. If you are young or always have your hands over your head, it is always wise to consult someone wiser before making important decisions.
2. There is no such thing as “easy money making”. If someone tells you that he / she has a plan that will help you make a profit quickly, then he / she is probably not telling you the whole truth. Chances are that you will not get your money back if things go wrong. Investing can yield great results, but remember, the riskier the investment, the more likely you are to lose.
3. Don't give your heart to people who don't deserve it. Unfortunately, there are also people who will take advantage of you, who will cheat you, who will treat you badly, and who will be unfaithful to you. Everyone is vulnerable no matter what gender you are.