Why would a person pretend to be stupid? How do you deal with a person who pretends not to understand, or not to know something, when you know they do?
2007-03-13 07:08:31 · 6 answers · asked by imjustasteph 4 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Lets throw in the fact that the person in question is one you are supposed to treat with a certain amount of respect- say a boss, or grandparent.
2007-03-13 07:38:22 · update #1
Perhaps they're not feigning ignorance but are, in fact, ignorant.
2007-03-13 07:54:40 · answer #1 · answered by amarie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, people will pretend to be stupid to either fly below the radar (if you don't want to do something, but people know you can, they might ask), or to simply not give everything away about themselves. It's better to underestimate strength and overestimate weakness in a competitive environment.
The best way to deal with it, if you know they're doing it, is to carry on as normal, or perhaps not explain things as much, as if you're not bothered what they think. They'll soon start becoming much more 'intelligent' than they were before once you start treating them like a fool.
2007-03-13 14:17:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
pretending to be stupid is fun but in some situations is very immature and a huge waste of time.
to deal with this you should make it known to them that you do not appresiate what this person is doing and ask that he or she stops. but commonly they are looking for a reaction that shows weakness and laugh at you for it. get some leverage on this person. you could say something to the effect of "i understand that your limited mind is not capable of knowing such things" anything that shows power of the mind is best. anything that can be used as bait is free game as long as respect is considered. think of this like fishing.
you need a lure, bait, etc.
2007-03-13 14:23:06 · answer #3 · answered by ldsironman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to work with a guy that played stupid all the time . There were certain assignments he hated to do, so he would pretend like he didn't know how. He hated filing, so he would misfile on purpose. I got so tired of cleaning up his messes, so I did most of his work for him. Guess I was really the stupid one huh?
2007-03-13 14:20:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have found people who are ashamed or embarrassed about something they have done will do this hoping you will also forget.
2007-03-13 14:25:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
trying to avoid the situation
2007-03-13 14:43:51 · answer #6 · answered by LU S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋