# 50. Self-delusion - the manipulation of self ## 50.5. Methodology/Refinements/Sub-species ### 50.5.18. Wishful thinking Wishful thinking is interpreting facts, reports, events, perceptions, etc., according to what one would like to be the case rather than according to the actual evidence. It is a primitive and very common form of self-delusion. Commercial and political manipulators often play up to this particular delusion by telling their victims what they think they want to hear.