Why Teenagers Lie
Andy Napier
March 9, 2010
Filed under Uncategorized
There is something strange and deceitful about the act of lying. The more you do it, the better you get at it. All of us lie, and most of the time we don’t even realize that we are doing it. Based on studies by psychiatrists, in the average ten minute conversation, sixity percent of those involved tell a lie. After some investigation at North Augusta High School (a place over-populated by truth-benders) we can gain some insight on why people lie and how to spot a liar in action.
Some people believe that its almost unnatural to tell lies, that the guilt overrides the original intent and a nasty habit has the potential to form. But on the contrary, most people learn how to spin facts from the time they begin talking. “I usually lie to get what I want,” says Junior Kevin Thomas about the reasons behind this trickery. This same motto explains most people’s intentions when it comes to avoiding the truth. We learn how to lie at an early age in order to get what we want, and as time rolls on we get more and more accustomed to our own ways.
Detecting liars can be a very difficult task, indeed. This is because there is no certain way to tell if a person is making up a lie or not. However, there are a few common tendencies for those who lie. They tend to talk in circles and avoid direct answers. Also, subtle body movements can give away a hidden tale, a subconscious flinch (similar to bluffing in poker). Perhaps one of the most effective methods involves paying attention to another person’s eyes. Usually, if a person is trying to remember an image or sound that they have actually experienced, they look to the right. If a person looks to the left when asked something, it could mean that they are trying to create an explanation.
Most of us are exposed to a numerous amount of lies on a daily basis (and we definently aren’t protected from the media or government). The reasons for lying usually stem from the liar’s own personal desires. But with close observation and a sharp ear, detecting lies can become a useful talent that will help on later in life.
