Why Are We Lying?

In the article about why we lie, I have just read that there are four common types of lies. Starting with fear, an emotion that at any instance can take total control and have the liar do certain things he wouldn't normally do but only because he is scared. Another common reason is because it may come from within, meaning the liar constantly lies until its an unbreakable habit and he won't even notice when he is lying. A third common reason behind lying is because of experience. The last most common reason children would lie is because of over prediction. Any of these four types of lies are usually temporary shelter from punishment. Yet there are still some fundamental reasons behind why children lie.

As I said before, lying can solely be caused out of pure fear. Most people react totally different in the state of fear and will do anything in that state of mine to put them selves back into safety. In this case fear is what's making them lie. Some parents have very loud tempers or are very strict about certain things and lying would certainly avoid having to deal with a loud mom or dad or having them take away privileges. You may also be scared of getting someone else in trouble so lying to save two people would also seem like a justifiable reason behind lying. I agree somewhat with this reason why someone would lie out of fear but only use it as my defense if my situation where the fear I'm feeling is life threatening. Although there are some tough parents out there lying wont make them any better.

What I feel to be a more common factor for lying is the fact someone may actually not know they're lying. In most cases people know when and why they're about to tell a lie. However, there are those few instances when a person is approached with a question that he automatically answers but without hesitation or knowledge that he just told a lie but only because he's used to lying. A habitual liar, what we would call someone of this nature lies constantly and this is strengthened by hostile confrontation. Arguing a lot, from my understanding can be the cause of constant lying. I say this because in an argument there will always be someone who is wrong or right or both. Now when we don't want to be wrong you just try and over power the argument, but when we don't want to be wrong and we make sure of it, we'll just lie and after time and time of doing this it becomes so natural we start to believe everything we say and think most people will too. A habit is now formed because of this practice and this is what you would call a habitual liar. I agree and disagree with this more of lying. I agree because it can be habit forming to lie but disagree only because you should still be aware of when you're lying. Its a choice to lie or not.

Modelling is another very common reason behind the lies children tell. this is basically what happens in ones environment that rubs off onto a child. Many, if not all children are subject to lies. its an experience everyone goes through in life and almost unavoidable to shield from children. From in the home, there is one potent source of modelling. Parents do in "moderation" what children will do in "excess". The little "white lies" or "fibs" parents tell are merely harmless to them, but they never take into consideration the way the children might take it. Children after a while will start to see it as ok to lie and tell those little harmless tales, but in time may take it to another level and make lying a big thing. I very much agree though how ones parents actions and words can motivate or stimulate a child to lie. Most children do what they see or hear their parents doing so they are very much a big influence on them.

Over prediction, one of the more commonly used and known factors of lying is the last common reason children lie. Most children have quick thinking mines, meaning they jump to conclusions and let what they concluded happen to be the reason they lied when in fact what they were thinking was far off from the answer or reaction or whatever the case may be. Children usually feel or can tell when they're not going to hear the answer they want, which is called over predicting. A child might want to go to a party thats all night but think they're parent wont let them go because of the time it might end when in fact, all they might have to do is ask and they might actually get the answer that they want. Lying in this instance avoids the child hearing what they don't want to and getting them what they want without the parent aware of what's going on. I agree that this is a justifiable reason behind lying, but still I personally would try my luck and ask, you never really know what someones going to say until you ask.

In my nineteen years of living I've lied a countless number of times, whether it be little harmless lies that wouldn't really matter to anyone or it may have been a lie that compromised my freedom or privileges. Lies in the end get everyone in trouble no matter what. A lie is a lie no matter how I put it, but when I do put them to use at certain times they can be used for good.


I chose this illustration because it seems as if the gentleman on the right is fearing that he might lose his freedom and can't find any other way to save himself but to lie. The man on the left is telling him just a little more perjury which is lying to in court, and that must be his way of saving his clients behind. A pure example of how fear can make you do things you normally wouldn't. Put yourself in his shoes, knowing you're about to lose your freedom in court, would you sit there and let it happen or would you lie your way out of it as best as you could as much as you could until you knew you would be off the hook? I think most people will agree with me here, this is one of those instances a lie can save a life, especially if someones innocent. Again not always the best choice of actions but worth it in the end, especially when you don't get caught.


I chose this illustration because it shows that parents may not always be the best role models for their children. Its obvious the parent in the illustration is telling or approving to their child that lying is okay at times and in certain cases the pay load is just different or the consequences may or may not be severe. I feel that this is a form of modelling because as a father figure to this child, he will or should be around a lot and with what the father seems to be telling the child I'm sure he'll take what he said and eventually use it in everyday life. Telling a child everyone lies may be smart to some extent, but making it seem like everyone lies and its okay just depending on the consequences isn't. This goes to show you that not all parents preach correct information to their children and may leave those unfortunate children confused about certain things. Again a lie is a lie and yes it may depend on the severity of the lie, but at the end of the day you're stil calling it a lie no matter what the "pay scale".