Out of Character

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Have you ever wondered why a staunch advocate for family values might cheat on his spouse? Or what drives an otherwise rational person into a fit of jealousy? This book explores such perplexing behaviors and more, challenging the conventional understanding of human character. Psychologists DeSteno and Valdesolo argue that our character is not a fixed set of traits but a fluid state influenced by hidden psychological mechanisms. The interplay of these forces shapes our actions at any moment. Through intriguing experiments from their lab, the authors shed light on behaviors that often dominate the headlines. For instance, they examine why Tiger Woods succumbed to temptation despite his ideal family life and why even savvy investors can gamble away fortunes, driven by the same impulses that make us root for underdogs in sports. They also discuss Eliot Spitzer's fall from grace as a vocal opponent of prostitution and Mel Gibson's surprising outbursts despite his philanthropic reputation. Ultimately, this work reveals that we all possess the potential for both virtue and vice, highlighting the unpredictable nature of human behavior.