Misdirection

Abstract

This chapter uncovers the psychological tricks used by con men, beginning with the tale of the famous spirit photographer William Mumler, said to have captured an image of Lincoln’s ghost. Playing on his customers’ emotional needs to see a lost loved one, Mumler claimed to be able do the impossible and capture a glimpse of the afterlife. Cons utilize a combination of seven psychological levers, including distraction, social compliance, herding behavior, dishonesty, deception, appealing to needs, and time constraint. An analogy is drawn between understanding the mechanics of cons and the psychology underlying workplace interactions. With understanding, employees and their managers can take action to improve the workplace and prepare for the unprecedented change being experienced in the gig economy.