Psychology Behind Why People Lie

I think it is the nature of a person to lie. But small or big lies are still lies and there is no difference for me. I think people lie because they want to protect something or does not want to complicate things especially to those people who are curious and kinda ask things a lot. And second people lie because like what you have said they want to deceive others. Like they want to get a good impression by lying

I can simply say that lying is part of the human nature. Except for Jesus - I strongly believe that all people who lived the earth had at least lied to someone.

I think most people lie to gain acceptance from other people, they fear that the truth will cause negative judgement towards them so they would rather lie to make themselves look better infront of that person. People are less likely to lie around someone they feel is open minded since they feel more likely to be accepted around such a person.

I always believe that honesty is the best policy. But I think there should be an exception in everything. I am not perfect. I also lie. I do it because I want to protect myself or someone close to me. I know that the end does not justifies the means. There are just situations where we get trapped and there's nothing we can do but to lie. But then again, we should always do our best to do the right thing.

And also there is one other bright side for lies which make people so great. The best lier is the best winner! Yes, I am talking about the stories and novels, which is nothing but, the purest lies and strongest imagination depicted as lies. All the stories, majority of them are the extract and essence of wonderful lies and what else? So, if we say lies with an efficient manner, it will get appreciated and even there are chances to get awards also! But if we openly do and say lies become simply pure lie and they are become the super liers...

Hi pb! I admit that I lie not only once but for several times and for several reasons. I would be lying if I wouldn't admit it. I lie to protect others, myself and my interest. It sometimes happen within the group. When we violate the rule, we have to lie again and again. I know how hard to cover up something by a lie and another lie. Until such time that we don't know anymore which is the truth and which is not.

that is an interesting study I know my kids when they lie to me and I can feel the reason why they lie too I think it is normal since they want a comfortable situation by doing that but It is wise to prevent it so they only tell a little lie

You are right. There's no single answer because many of us lie for many reasons. Everybody lies at some point in their lives. I don't think there's anybody out there who is 100% honest. For some people it might be only a "white lie" but a lie is a lie. I read somewhere that many of us start lying at the early age of 3 or 4. When we gain an understanding of our language, at first our lies are not bad because were are only kids and we don't know better. But still, we lie because we want to know if we can get away with it, and when we know we can, we start lying. White lies, for some is only a way to protect someone's feelings and is not big of a deal. However, when you lie about everything, we become pathological liars, and that's when the problem begins.

Everyone tells lies in their life due to various reasons and situations. It is really hard to see a person who never lied in his/her life. Each and every one tell/told at least one lie in their life due to various reason and situation. Some people start to tell lies based on the situation and they keep it forever, i.e this kind of people tell another lie to hide the first one and this process is going on, they are in need to tell more lies to keep up their lie and addicted with telling lies with or without their concern. There is nothing wrong in telling lies for important thing or in emergency situation, but we must try our maximum to avoid lies. Some persons intentionally tell lies for unwanted things, this kind of unnecessary lies will give more troubles to their life. Mostly people tell lies with their parents to hide their unwanted activities. But they must realize that parents are living god and we must avoid telling lies with them. If we tell lies to our parents and cheat them, we are indirectly cheat our self and spoiling our life. Telling lie is a hobby for some persons, but they don't get any benefits with it and people never believe this kind of persons words, even though they are telling the real thing. Truth always wins and lie don't have the ability to stand for a long time. So avoid lies and tell the truth forever.

I guess one reason why people lie is they are ashamed of the truth but not really protecting their personal interests but to hide whatever skeletons they have in their closets. Or they lie because they can't stand up for the truth. Impulsive liars are very common especially those whose jobs are related to selling. They lie to people to get commissions, even if they know that what they are selling is not really worth people's money and time as well.

I guess people lie because they want others to see them as great. Like this someone I know who keeps putting down her friend because she wants all the attention of their common acquintances only at her.

In my opinion, I think people lie because something is threatened: their financial source, their loved ones, fear of losing interest/trust/love, or their ego is simply threatened. We lie because the truth hurts, well maybe not all truths.. I believe we all have that instinct for self-preservation. It's not encouraged and it's definitely unhealthy if one's gets through the day by lying.

All of us lies. It is a great hit on our heart if we don't or even not tried. We have done it due to some casual or personal reasons. But mostly, the main reason I got from people on why they lie is to protect the feelings of others, they don't want to hurt others. Agree?