Accepting Lies Through the Tunnel Effect; An Analogy Between Physics and Psychology

Authors: Jose A. Martinez

Pages: 1-3

Abstract:

Explaining how some individuals are able to accept a lie as the truth, even when there is overwhelming proof that it is, in fact, a lie, is a difficult task that encompasses a series of complex interactions between several psychological phenomena. This paper introduces a way to explain such irrational behavior, by drawing an analogy with the tunnel effect, an illogical phenomenon of physics whereby a fundamental particle can pass through a barrier and be transmitted even when it does not have enough energy to do so. Through this analogy, a better understanding of the underlying reasons for such behavior is achieved, linking specific psychological variables to the physical variables depicting the transmission of a wave in the framework of Schrödinger's stationary wave equation.