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naive_cynicism
The tendency to expect others to be more selfishly motivated than they actually are. While naive realism assumes our own objectivity, naive cynicism assumes others are strategically self-interested and biased. This leads to distrust and uncharitable interpretations of others' actions.
When a colleague volunteers to lead a high-visibility project, a coworker immediately assumes they are doing it purely for career advancement rather than genuine interest, even though the colleague has a track record of passion for similar work.
A local politician announces a new recycling initiative in her district. Rather than taking it at face value, many residents immediately assume it is a publicity stunt timed before the upcoming election — even though she has championed environmental causes for years with no electoral benefit.
When a popular social media influencer posts about donating to a disaster relief fund, the comment section fills with accusations that they are only doing it for the tax write-off or to boost their image, despite no evidence of self-serving intent and a long history of quiet charitable giving.
Binary (yes/no) questions an LLM must answer to identify this aspect:
Are others' motives assumed to be self-serving without evidence?
Type: binaryIs generosity or altruism from others dismissed as strategic?
Type: binaryWould the same actions performed by oneself be attributed to nobler motives?
Type: binaryThe tendency to expect others to be more selfishly motivated than they actually are. While naive realism assumes our own objectivity, naive cynicism assumes others are strategically self-interested and biased. This leads to distrust and uncharitable interpretations of others' actions.
We have direct access to our own complex motivations but must infer others' motives from behavior alone. Cynical attributions feel like sophisticated, realistic thinking, which makes them psychologically rewarding.
Apply the same charitable interpretations to others' behavior that you apply to your own. Consider multiple possible motivations before settling on the most cynical one.
Naive cynicism undermines organizational trust, makes negotiations adversarial when they could be collaborative, and fuels conspiracy theories. It is common in politics where opponents' motives are assumed to be purely self-serving.
Use these tools to detect, analyze, or train this aspect.