Why we lie
The truth is we all do it but why?
Lying is an inherent part of being human and we all do it, everyday, to friends, family and work colleagues. From little white lies in order to be polite or protect the feelings of others, lies designed to hide our inadequacies or avoid blame, to the lies we tell ourselves about how we really feel, there are many types of lie and equally as many reasons why we do it. Children learn to lie from about the age of three and become accomplished liars by around the age of seven. So where is the line between socially acceptable lying and unacceptable deceit? Can you tell when someone is lying and why do some people develop into pathological liars?
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PODCASTS
Liar, Liar, Liar
(29 mins)
We all lie. But what separates the average person from the infamous cheaters we see on the news? Dan Ariely says we like to think it’s character — but in his research he’s found it’s more often opportunity. Dan Ariely is a professor at Duke University and the author of the book, The Honest Truth About Dishonesty: How We Lie to Everyone — Especially Ourselves.
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The Lie
(18 mins)
Many psychologists argue that learning to lie is an important stage for children. As early as two, children who are more developmentally advanced are much better liars. For some people, lying is something they can’t stop doing. We hear from someone whose life spiralled out of control due to her addiction to lying.
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Can you spot a liar?
(54 mins)
Some of you stumble at telling the slightest un-truths. Others get away with outrageous lies for years. There are many reasons why we lie – and sometimes we do it for the good of others. A panel of professional human lie detectors reveals the discoveries they’ve made about the inner workings of the deceitful mind. Chris Taylor, writer, performer and broadcaster, Matthew Condon, crime and corruption reporter, Kate McClymont, investigative journalist at The Sydney Morning Herald and Dr Calum Smith, forensic psychiatrist.
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VIDEOS
How to spot a liar
(18 mins)
On any given day we’re lied to from 10 to 200 times, and the clues to detect those lies can be subtle and counter-intuitive. Pamela Meyer, author of Liespotting, shows the manners and “hotspots” used by those trained to recognize deception — and she argues honesty is a value worth preserving. From TEDGlobal.
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Why do people lie and how often are you lied to?
(6 mins)
Why do we lie? And how often are you lied to? Well, sorry to break it to you, but it’s probably more than you think. People lie to avoid punishment, for personal gain or because they get a kick out of it. Basically there are lots of reasons that people lie (and everybody does it). From BBC Ideas.
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How to Stop Compulsive Lying
(11 mins)
There are many reasons why someone might compulsively lie, and if you are watching this then you may be someone who is sick of compulsively lying. In this video I talk more about the reasons why people lie, and I’ll share 7 tips you can use to start being more honest. By Mark Tyrrell for Uncommon Knowledge.
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Honest liars: the psychology of self-deception
(13 mins)
By providing content, resources, and connections, Dr. Cortney Warren’s goal is to support anyone who is brave enough to live a more conscious life. For when we are honest about who we really are, we have the opportunity to change. Cortney Warren at TEDxUNLV
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ARTICLES
The 40 Lies Everyone Tells on a Daily Basis
+Let’s face it, we all stretch the truth from time to time. Mostly it’s in the form of inconsequential white lies that we tell to avoid hurting someone’s feelings, to get on with our day, or to make our stories a little more interesting. Here are 40 of the most common white lies people use on daily basis. By Alex Daniel for Best Life.
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These Are History’s Most Notorious Liars
+From scientists to presidents, famous people throughout history have told infamous lies. By Claudia Kalb for National Geographic.
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12 Tips to Break a Lying Habit
+If lying’s become a more of a regular habit in your life, try not to be too hard on yourself. Instead, ask yourself how you can break this pattern and be more truthful going forward. We’ve got some answers to this question that can help. By Crystal Raypole for Heathline.
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When to Lie. When to Tell the Truth
+Honesty is the best policy, except when it isn’t. Here’s how to know when to fess up, when to keep mum, and when to lie through your teeth. By Martha Beck for Oprah.com.
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