gullible

Gullible is an adjective used to describe a person who is easily persuaded or deceived. A gullible individual tends to accept statements at face value, trust others readily, and believe unverified claims or misinformation. The term carries a negative connotation but is typically descriptive rather than a clinical diagnosis, and it can apply to specific situations or topics rather than to a person as a whole.

Etymology and usage: Gullible is formed from the noun gull, meaning a dupe or deceived person, with the suffix -ible. The exact origins are uncertain, but the word has appeared in English since at least the 18th century and is used to label susceptibility to being fooled rather than a character flaw in all contexts.

Psychological and cultural dimensions: Gullibility arises from cognitive and social factors, including trust in authority, social proof, heuristics, and information processing style. It varies with education, media literacy, context, and the stakes of the claim. Some researchers treat gullibility as a trait-like tendency, while others see it as a situational susceptibility. Methods to reduce gullibility include critical thinking, fact-checking, skepticism toward extraordinary claims, and evaluating evidence. In everyday language, the term is often used humorously or pejoratively to warn someone against being taken in by scams or hoaxes.