Credulity: meaning, definitions and examples
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credulity
[krɪˈdjuːlɪti ]
Definitions
lack of skepticism
Credulity is the tendency to believe something too quickly, without enough evidence or skepticism. It is often associated with gullibility and naivety.
Synonyms
gullibility, naivety, trustfulness.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| credulity |
Used to describe a tendency to believe things too quickly without sufficient evidence, often in a general or academic context.
|
| gullibility |
Used when emphasizing a person's susceptibility to being easily deceived or tricked, often in a critical or negative context.
|
| naivety |
Used to describe innocence or lack of experience and sophistication, often in a context that is less critical and can even be sympathetic.
|
| trustfulness |
Used in a positive or neutral context to describe a natural tendency to trust others, often implying a sense of inherent goodness or innocence.
|
Examples of usage
- Her credulity led her to fall for the scam.
- Don't mistake credulity for open-mindedness.
easily deceived
Credulity can also refer to a person's readiness to believe in something that is not true, making them easily deceived or manipulated.
Synonyms
gullibility, naivety, trustfulness.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| credulity |
Used when referring to a general tendency to believe things too quickly or without sufficient evidence, often in serious or formal contexts.
|
| gullibility |
Implied in contexts where someone is easily fooled or deceived. It often has a slightly negative or critical tone.
|
| naivety |
Refers to a lack of experience or sophistication, typically in situations where someone is innocent or unaware of complexities. Generally used in everyday or literary contexts.
|
| trustfulness |
Describes a general disposition to trust others, often used in a positive or neutral way.
|
Examples of usage
- His credulity made him an easy target for con artists.
- The cult leader preyed on the credulity of his followers.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word comes from the Latin 'credulus', which means 'easily convinced', derived from 'credere', meaning 'to believe'.
- It entered the English language in the early 17th century, reflecting a growing interest in human psychology and belief systems.
- The suffix '-ity' indicates a state or quality, so 'credulity' literally means the quality of being easily persuaded.
Psychology
- Research shows that high levels of credulity can lead to the acceptance of misinformation and gullibility.
- Cognitive biases, like the confirmation bias, can increase credulity, causing individuals to believe information that aligns with their existing beliefs.
- Children typically have higher credulity, as they rely on adults for information and may not yet possess critical thinking skills.
Literature
- In many classic novels, especially in satire, characters often display credulity to highlight their foolishness or the absurdities of society.
- Writers like Mark Twain and Jonathan Swift explored themes of credulity to critique social norms and human nature.
- The concept is commonly used in literature as a plot device to create misunderstandings or comedic situations.
Media
- In today's digital age, credulity is tested by the proliferation of fake news on social media platforms.
- Media literacy campaigns aim to reduce credulity by teaching individuals how to analyze and question information critically.
- The success of certain conspiracy theories often hinges on the credulity of the audience, showing how easily people can be swayed.
Philosophy
- Philosophers like David Hume have argued about the nature of belief and how credulity affects our perception of reality.
- Credulity raises important questions about the balance between trust in others and skepticism as a pathway to understanding.
- Pseudoscience often exploits credulity to promote unproven theories, emphasizing the need for a skeptical approach in philosophical discourse.
Translations
Translations of the word "credulity" in other languages:
🇵🇹 credulidade
🇮🇳 विश्वासशीलता
🇩🇪 Leichtgläubigkeit
🇮🇩 kekredulan
🇺🇦 довірливість
🇵🇱 łatwowierność
🇯🇵 軽信
🇫🇷 crédulité
🇪🇸 credulidad
🇹🇷 saflık
🇰🇷 쉽게 믿음
🇸🇦 سذاجة
🇨🇿 důvěřivost
🇸🇰 dôverčivosť
🇨🇳 轻信
🇸🇮 lahkovernost
🇮🇸 trúgirni
🇰🇿 сенгіштік
🇬🇪 დამიჯერებლობა
🇦🇿 saflıq
🇲🇽 credulidad