Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Military Deception

Abstract : Investigators from a variety of scientific and social scientific disciplines report results of a group research effort into the nature of military strategic deception. Seven essays are included. Basic concepts which define strategic deception and its variants are identified and the process of deception is analyzed using evidence from the recent past. Deception is found to be reliably advantageous to those who attempt it despite its susceptibility to unforseen contingencies. Psychological biases of individuals and characteristics of organizations are identified which may lend themselves to being deceived. Feedback is identified as a key element in successful deception. Communications theory, game theory, and systems theory are applied to deception to clarify the elements of a theory of deception. Recommendations for countering deception and for further research in the area are made.