Everybody Lies.
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With the exception of some intellectual disorders and a wide range of persons encompassed with in the autism spectrum, everyone lies.
As we discussed in our previous look at this topic, lying is the first hypothetical construct children will learn, and something which in maintained in later life, with the average person lying at least once a day.
This time I wanted to examine the psychology and rational behind lies, taking us all a little deeper than simply the origins of lying.
To this end, for the next 7 days I will be keeping a journal. Recording every time I lie and the reason behind it. I have aptly named this little black book, "The Book of Lies". Credit for this idea goes the @Ruby Taylor.
We all have a tendency to define what is (and isn't) a lie in differing ways, often to suit the situation we are in. The oxford dictionary defines a lie as; "an intentionally false statement, used with reference to a situation involving deception or founded on a mistaken impression, an untruth expressed as truth".
Now thats out of the way, lets examine the widely excepted "types" of lies in social psychology.
The Big Lie
This term was coined by Adolph Hitler and refers to a deception which is so extreme or large that it is often contradicted by common sense or information the person being lied to possess. However when the lie is of sufficient magnitude it is able to succeed due to the basic human assumption that something so significant could not, and would not, be fabricated and/or the reluctance of humans to scrutinize popular belief.
Careful Speaking/misleading
Essentially refers to the selective omission of certain relevant information and facts, thought no outright lie takes place, the intent remains to make someone believe an untruth.
Compliments/false reassurance
This is perhaps the most common form of lying in which we all engage, commonly known as "white lies", and consisting of exaggerations or false sentiments intended to please another individual.
Bluffing
pretending to have an ability or intention you do not in fact possess.
Contextual Lies
Taking a truthful statement out of context in order to deceive, i.e "twisting the truth".
Emergency Lies
A lie told in order to hide a truth that would harm a third party.
Exaggeration
Hyperbole, where the facts of a fundamental truth are polarized i.e "stretching the truth".
Fabrication
The submission of a statement or fact as truth, when it is unknown as to whether it is actually true or not.
Jocose Lies
Lies told in jest for example sarcasm.
Nobel Lies
A lie that benefits others and/or maintain law and order in society.
Due to an impending exam, I'm going to leave it at that, and we can talk psychology after my exam on Thursday.
So till next time kids, remember; a half-truth is still a whole lie.
This is Z,
Signing out.
PS. Should any of you want to keep your own Book of Lies, your insights would be much appreciated, I am simply recording the type of each lie and the relationship I have with the person to whom it was told.
.jpg)
With the exception of some intellectual disorders and a wide range of persons encompassed with in the autism spectrum, everyone lies.
As we discussed in our previous look at this topic, lying is the first hypothetical construct children will learn, and something which in maintained in later life, with the average person lying at least once a day.
This time I wanted to examine the psychology and rational behind lies, taking us all a little deeper than simply the origins of lying.
To this end, for the next 7 days I will be keeping a journal. Recording every time I lie and the reason behind it. I have aptly named this little black book, "The Book of Lies". Credit for this idea goes the @Ruby Taylor.
We all have a tendency to define what is (and isn't) a lie in differing ways, often to suit the situation we are in. The oxford dictionary defines a lie as; "an intentionally false statement, used with reference to a situation involving deception or founded on a mistaken impression, an untruth expressed as truth".
Now thats out of the way, lets examine the widely excepted "types" of lies in social psychology.
The Big Lie
This term was coined by Adolph Hitler and refers to a deception which is so extreme or large that it is often contradicted by common sense or information the person being lied to possess. However when the lie is of sufficient magnitude it is able to succeed due to the basic human assumption that something so significant could not, and would not, be fabricated and/or the reluctance of humans to scrutinize popular belief.
Careful Speaking/misleading
Essentially refers to the selective omission of certain relevant information and facts, thought no outright lie takes place, the intent remains to make someone believe an untruth.
Compliments/false reassurance
This is perhaps the most common form of lying in which we all engage, commonly known as "white lies", and consisting of exaggerations or false sentiments intended to please another individual.
Bluffing
pretending to have an ability or intention you do not in fact possess.
Contextual Lies
Taking a truthful statement out of context in order to deceive, i.e "twisting the truth".
Emergency Lies
A lie told in order to hide a truth that would harm a third party.
Exaggeration
Hyperbole, where the facts of a fundamental truth are polarized i.e "stretching the truth".
Fabrication
The submission of a statement or fact as truth, when it is unknown as to whether it is actually true or not.
Jocose Lies
Lies told in jest for example sarcasm.
Nobel Lies
A lie that benefits others and/or maintain law and order in society.
Due to an impending exam, I'm going to leave it at that, and we can talk psychology after my exam on Thursday.
So till next time kids, remember; a half-truth is still a whole lie.
This is Z,
Signing out.
PS. Should any of you want to keep your own Book of Lies, your insights would be much appreciated, I am simply recording the type of each lie and the relationship I have with the person to whom it was told.
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