Dissimulation

Dissimulation refers to the act of concealing or disguising one’s thoughts, feelings, or intentions to present a false impression to others. The word comes from Latin dissimulatio, from dissimulare, meaning to hide or conceal. In everyday usage, dissimulation sits between concealment and deception: it involves presenting appearances that do not reflect one’s interior state, often without explicitly stating false information.

Forms include masking emotions, feigning attitudes, or withholding genuine opinions while engaging in outward behavior designed to mislead. It may involve deliberate incongruity between inner beliefs and outward expression, or the strategic selection of what to disclose or show. Dissimulation can occur in dialogue, body language, or social performance.

Contexts span politics, diplomacy, espionage, and ordinary social interaction. In literature and philosophy, dissimulation is a common theme, examined as a moral or strategic issue. Some traditions regard it as a necessary skill of prudence or survival; others condemn it as a form of deceit that erodes trust.

Psychological research treats dissimulation as part of deception and impression management, exploring how people regulate affect, monitor cues, and manage social audiences. Detecting dissimulation relies on analyzing inconsistencies between expressed attitudes and behavior, though reliable identification remains difficult and context dependent.