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Pathological Lying: Theoretical and Empirical Support for a Diagnostic Entity

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21–30 of 115 posts

Re: Pathological Lying: Theoretical and Empirical Support for a Diagnostic Entity

#21

Dear parents: never let your kids lie, at any age. It might be cute when they're 3 or 4 or 5, but if you don't gently tell them that "we don't tell lies, we always tell the truth" it will become a habit they will carry into adulthood.

Kids are always smarter than we think, they can perceive adults lying they just don't always know what to do with that information. I feel the kinder thing is to help understand the concepts of sharing information and why people might lie or withhold.

Re: Pathological Lying: Theoretical and Empirical Support for a Diagnostic Entity

#23
I had a friend in college who did this, lying frequently about even inconsequential things. I asked him about it, and he said that he rarely lied to get an obvious direct advantage over someone like we imagine. Rather, he mostly just enjoyed knowing that other people were operating under false info, very much like dramatic irony except in real life.

It was weird, and I don't think it served him well in the long run. However, his girlfriends were consistently more beautiful than you'd expect for his looks/personality/wealth.

Re: Pathological Lying: Theoretical and Empirical Support for a Diagnostic Entity

#24
post #9

As an Aspie, (almost) every neurotypical person seems to be a pathological liar, not able to make a small talk without committing a few lies. Examples: "I am fine, thanks", "You look great!", "It is a wonderful idea!", "You are our best client", "For our company privacy is a priority", etc, etc.

That's just business talk, not lies.

if it's not the truth it's a lie.

Re: Pathological Lying: Theoretical and Empirical Support for a Diagnostic Entity

#25
post #13

Dear parents: never let your kids lie, at any age. It might be cute when they're 3 or 4 or 5, but if you don't gently tell them that "we don't tell lies, we always tell the truth" it will become a habit they will carry into adulthood.

The bigger problem is the parents. Let's start with Santa Claus. Blatant lie. Parents teach kids that lying is ok from a very young age. Abolish Christmas, and then get back to me.

You can celebrate Christmas without Santa Claus.

Re: Pathological Lying: Theoretical and Empirical Support for a Diagnostic Entity

#26
post #9

As an Aspie, (almost) every neurotypical person seems to be a pathological liar, not able to make a small talk without committing a few lies. Examples: "I am fine, thanks", "You look great!", "It is a wonderful idea!", "You are our best client", "For our company privacy is a priority", etc, etc.

That's just business talk, not lies.

Yea, "I'm fine" when you're really not, isn't a lie because there's no intent to deceive. No one actually expects you to tell you how you truly are when they ask "How are you?". So if anything, the initial question is more the lie because it implies concern for the person being asked when it's really just a salutation.

Re: Pathological Lying: Theoretical and Empirical Support for a Diagnostic Entity

#27

Dear parents: never let your kids lie, at any age. It might be cute when they're 3 or 4 or 5, but if you don't gently tell them that "we don't tell lies, we always tell the truth" it will become a habit they will carry into adulthood.

That is useful obviously but won't work on everyone and makes parents deal with unnecessary guilt and shame when they are raising let's say a Donald.

To the liars out there don't think there is something wrong with you.

You have your purpose too - Google psychopathy or dark triad in the work place and know that Managers actually use/need you guys too, not just honest Abe.

Basically we still live with a stone age level of understanding of personality traits and their pros and cons.

But if everyone understands there is a diff between a banana tree, a redwood and a cactus. All having different needs and personalities, only then do we get a good looking botanical garden.

Re: Pathological Lying: Theoretical and Empirical Support for a Diagnostic Entity

#28
post #9

As an Aspie, (almost) every neurotypical person seems to be a pathological liar, not able to make a small talk without committing a few lies. Examples: "I am fine, thanks", "You look great!", "It is a wonderful idea!", "You are our best client", "For our company privacy is a priority", etc, etc.

That's just business talk, not lies.

This! Is what they are friggin talking about.
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