Why Do Kids Lie?

[MWM]

Fascinating article on why kids lie and what it means. It's long, but worthwhile for any parents or those who might one day be parents.

http://nymag.com/news/features/43893/

[camisadelgolf]

I haven't read the article, but I'm guessing that kids lie for the same reason adults do: because it works.

[SunDeck]

Originally Posted by camisadelgolf

I haven't read the article, but I'm guessing that kids lie for the same reason adults do: because it works.

End of story, but I guess one sentence isn't enough for an article.

[Bip Roberts]

Get rich or lie tryin

[Spring~Fields]

Originally Posted by camisadelgolf

I haven't read the article, but I'm guessing that kids lie for the same reason adults do: because it works.

I haven't read it either, I was told the primary reason for the lie, is related to a fear.

[GAC]

Originally Posted by SpringfieldFan

I haven't read it either, I was told the primary reason for the lie, is related to a fear.

fear of getting your butt beat!

People lie because they feel it's the easier and more convenient path to avoiding trouble.

[Spring~Fields]

Originally Posted by GAC

fear of getting your butt beat!

People lie because they feel it's the easier and more convenient path to avoiding trouble.

Yes, that is the point that some psych person told me, people want to avoid a perceived potential negative consequence, thus fear is behind the motivation to lie, so they will lie. Of course I don't think that is speaking to one that has seriously ruthless intentions, attempting to deceive another to perpetrate some criminal type acts. Of course I have met some criminal types and have wondered if they even knew what a breath of truth is, I noticed they would utter a lie or two even when there was not a visible reason or threatening situation present.

I meant something more along the lines of this below, in the home or workplace.
Officer: Do you know why I pulled you over?
Self: No, why did you pull me over? (knowing I was going 85 in a 55)
Officer: Excessive speed, you were going 85 in a 55 zone
Self: Officer are you sure, I certainly did not think I was going that fast
Officer: Yes you were traveling at 85 mph
Self: I never speed…..(Yeah, Yeah I am lying through my teeth trying to avoid a court date, hoping that the officer will let it go this time, as I fear the inconvenience, court fines and costs along with potential increases in insurance rates.) Nothing in me is considering the science behind speed and our highways, the engineering side, or that I might injure another eventually.

[RedsManRick]

Very interesting article. Basically, the article says:

- everybody lies
- lies are primarily a way to avoid negative consequences
- often those consequence are extremely minor, and lying serves merely as a non-malicious social lubricant
- kids find out that lying is an effective way of avoiding negative consequences
- kids learn lying every early, first from family, then from friends and classmates
- the idea that lying always wrong is horribly confusing, given that "white lies" are told all the time, and in fact encouraged "tell Grandma you like your new sweater"
- smart kids lie sooner and lie better

[Blimpie]

Because they do not think they will get caught?