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Published: 2008

Total Pages: 61

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Military deception is as old as war itself and it adheres to a logical process. This monograph explores how an increased understanding of pattern recognition as part of human decision making can enhance the effectiveness of military deception operations. Before one can exercise the art of military deception, one must understand the science of it. The science of military deception is revealed in the way that people make decisions. One of the prerequisites of decision making is that one needs to have knowledge about the issue upon which one is about to decide. This makes it necessary for one to also investigate the subject and theory of knowledge. This exploration leads the author to ask three questions. First, how do we acquire knowledge? When we have acquired knowledge, how do we retain it? Finally, how do we use knowledge? This last question leads one back to decision making. The author then sought to establish a causal relationship between pattern recognition and decision making. Through experimental research, he tried to cause a decrease in ambiguity and thereby facilitate the erroneous orientation of the decision maker. He expected that this would make the decision maker decisive, certain, and wrong. However, according to statistics, the experiment did not show conclusive evidence that previous experiences influence people in making decisions. But there is strong evidence that indicates a relationship between experience and decision making. Further research with a larger sample might show a significant statistical relationship. To let military practitioners rise above the subconscious level of the science of military deception, it is necessary to provide them with education and training. The subject of military deception should be introduced into military doctrine and into the curricula of military education.