The Nature of Deception

Personality Disorders

Can Pathological Liars Be Cured?

Christian L. Hart Ph.D. on April 8, 2023

Pathological liars deceive prolifically, causing massive problems in their lives. Recent research suggests psychotherapy can help them change.

Pathological liars deceive prolifically, causing massive problems in their lives. Recent research suggests psychotherapy can help them change.

Psychopathy

Psychopaths and Pathological Lying

Christian L. Hart Ph.D. on March 30, 2023

Some people lie because they have a need to be liked or desire attention, but others lie prolifically because of a psychopathic urge to manipulate and harm.

Some people lie because they have a need to be liked or desire attention, but others lie prolifically because of a psychopathic urge to manipulate and harm.

Deception

A Brief History of Lie Detection

Christian L. Hart Ph.D. on March 29, 2023

Despite a history stretching back centuries, lie detection tools are still imperfect instruments for assessing dishonesty.

Despite a history stretching back centuries, lie detection tools are still imperfect instruments for assessing dishonesty.

Deception

What Are Blue Lies and Why Do People Tell Them?

Christian L. Hart Ph.D. on January 29, 2023

Lying is often seen as unethical and immoral, but some lies are viewed as permissible, justified, and even virtuous.

Lying is often seen as unethical and immoral, but some lies are viewed as permissible, justified, and even virtuous.

Politics

Pathological Lying in Politics

Christian L. Hart Ph.D. on December 29, 2022

Recent accusations that certain politicians are pathological liars invite the question of whether the world of politics attracts pathological liars or creates them.

Recent accusations that certain politicians are pathological liars invite the question of whether the world of politics attracts pathological liars or creates them.

Artificial Intelligence

This New Artificial Intelligence Can Help You Lie

Christian L. Hart Ph.D. on December 2, 2022

New advances in artificial intelligence offer tremendous promise. New AI systems can communicate with humans very naturally. Also like humans, they can lie.

New advances in artificial intelligence offer tremendous promise. New AI systems can communicate with humans very naturally. Also like humans, they can lie.

Bias

The Truth About Black Cat Bias

Christian L. Hart Ph.D. on October 27, 2022

A recent study sought to figure out why people are biased against black cats. Here's what the researchers found.

A recent study sought to figure out why people are biased against black cats. Here's what the researchers found.

Sex

The Most Common Lies People Tell in Their Sex Lives

Christian L. Hart Ph.D. on October 15, 2022

We asked people about the lies they tell in their sex lives. What we found was surprising.

We asked people about the lies they tell in their sex lives. What we found was surprising.

Empathy

The Ironic Effect of Kindness in Interrogations

Christian L. Hart Ph.D. on September 28, 2022

This discovery from interrogation science can help you get the truth from people in your everyday life.

This discovery from interrogation science can help you get the truth from people in your everyday life.

Deception

The Paradox of Religiosity and Dishonesty

Christian L. Hart Ph.D. on September 27, 2022

Most religions forbid lying and other forms of dishonesty, but does that translate into religious people being more honest? Results from this study suggest otherwise.

Most religions forbid lying and other forms of dishonesty, but does that translate into religious people being more honest? Results from this study suggest otherwise.

Attention

Why Liars Tell Pointless Lies

Christian L. Hart Ph.D. on September 26, 2022

While pathological liars may seem to tell purposeless lies, a closer look can help us see what their true motivations are.

While pathological liars may seem to tell purposeless lies, a closer look can help us see what their true motivations are.

Career

How Do Polygraphs Work?

Christian L. Hart Ph.D. on June 29, 2022

Polygraphs measure the physiological changes that occur when people lie, although imperfectly.

Polygraphs measure the physiological changes that occur when people lie, although imperfectly.

Guilt

Can a Murderer Be Identified as Lying on a 911 Call?

Christian L. Hart Ph.D. on June 28, 2022

When murderers place 911 calls and portray themselves as innocent, they may give away subtle cues of their guilt.

When murderers place 911 calls and portray themselves as innocent, they may give away subtle cues of their guilt.

Relationships

Have You Ever Met a Pathological Liar?

Christian L. Hart Ph.D. on April 22, 2022

If pathological liars have disrupted your life, you are not alone.

If pathological liars have disrupted your life, you are not alone.

Relationships

How to Regain Trust

Christian L. Hart Ph.D. on March 31, 2022

If we lose someone's trust, a few steps can help us regain their confidence.

If we lose someone's trust, a few steps can help us regain their confidence.

Deception

Why Pathological Liars Keep Lying

Christian L. Hart Ph.D. on March 7, 2022

Have you ever wondered why pathological liars are so dishonest all of the time? It turns out that they may be motivated to lie for the same reasons that we all lie—just more so.

Have you ever wondered why pathological liars are so dishonest all of the time? It turns out that they may be motivated to lie for the same reasons that we all lie—just more so.

Deception

A Theory of Lying and Dishonesty

Christian L. Hart Ph.D. on March 5, 2022

A simple theory explains why people are dishonest, when they are likely to be dishonest, and who is likely to be the biggest liar in your life.

A simple theory explains why people are dishonest, when they are likely to be dishonest, and who is likely to be the biggest liar in your life.

Deception

Why Are We So Honest?

Christian L. Hart Ph.D. on January 29, 2021

Trust and cooperation were necessary for our ancestors' survival. Have we inherited their tendency to be honest?

Trust and cooperation were necessary for our ancestors' survival. Have we inherited their tendency to be honest?

Motivation

The Evolution of Honesty

Christian L. Hart Ph.D. on December 18, 2020

Evolutionary perspectives suggest humans may have evolved to resist dishonesty.

Evolutionary perspectives suggest humans may have evolved to resist dishonesty.

Deception

The Only Way to Really Detect When Someone Is Lying

Christian L. Hart Ph.D. on November 23, 2020

When supposed experts promise to teach you the best way to detect liars, they typically and ironically offer advice that will make you an ineffective lie detector.

When supposed experts promise to teach you the best way to detect liars, they typically and ironically offer advice that will make you an ineffective lie detector.