Part 2/10:
In a recent episode of the podcast Nudge, Phil Agnew delves into the intricacies of human psychology that underpin Holmes's ability to convince others. Agnew begins with the premise that while it’s easy to blame Holmes for her dishonesty, the factors leading to her success in deception lie deeply rooted in psychological principles. The focus shifts from why she lied to exploring why and how people believed her.
Holmes’s rise to infamy can largely be attributed to well-known cognitive biases, particularly the halo effect, which demonstrates how initial positive impressions can shape broader perceptions. Agnew emphasizes that this cognitive bias played a pivotal role in how Holmes presented herself, drawing parallels with the successful image of tech icon Steve Jobs.