The Nature of Deception

Narcissism

Spot the Liar: Looking Beyond Narcissism

Christian L. Hart Ph.D. on January 29, 2025

Most people misunderstand the link between narcissism and lying. Other dark personality traits do a much better job of predicting lying.

Deception

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.

Deception

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Deception

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.

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.

Deception

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.

Deception

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.

Trust

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.

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.