Types of Lying Essay Sample

Different types of lies

A lie is a statement used with the intent to deceive. It is associated with a negative connotation and often results in legal or societal penalties. Often, lies are used to fulfill interpersonal or psychological needs. The act of passing a lie is called lying and the person involved is called a liar.

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The most permissible lie is that resulting from an error. This involves a person making statements that they believe are truly unaware that they are false. In this case, the mistake may result in forgiveness. In a court of law, the subject may face legal sanctions on the basis of their ignorance.

Lying by omission is a type of lie that involves leaving out crucial information with an intent to defraud a system. This type of lying is regularly used as it is easier to perpetrate and often results in fewer penalties.

Similar to lying by omission is lying through distortion. this involves changing relevant pieces of information to influence its reception. It may be in the form of changing the direct speech, the circumstance involved or the setting under which the events occurred.

Other types of lies are exaggeration and minimization. These two are opposite. The former involves representing events as being greater, more adverse or of greater consequences than they are. The later involves reporting events as being less consequential than they are.

Reasons Why People Lie

The main reason why people often lie is to avoid punishment. It is human nature to be afraid of rebuke and punishment. It is for this reason that many people, regardless of their age, race, gender, or religion, are likely to lie to get away with a mistake.

Another reason why people lie is with the aim of hurting others. This occurs when a person makes false statements with the intention of making the receiver to be uncomfortable, angry or sad. It often involves sensitive information such as appearance.

Lying to satisfy psychological needs is a major reason why people lie. There people who lie to feel the satisfaction resulting from getting away with a mistake unpunished. This is a very dangerous need as it often results in illegal deeds. The bigger the lie, the more the satisfaction obtained. A person may, therefore, be willing to lie about crucial things in order to increase their level of satisfaction.

Lying with the aim to flatter is another common reason why people lie. Some people will lie with the aim of satisfying the receiver's urge for gratification. Often, this lie is usually done with the aim of obtaining some favor in return. It is therefore done with the aim of creating a certain mood within the receiver that allows for exploitation.

In conclusion, it can, therefore, be seen that there are many types of lies and all are performed for widely varying reasons. That are usually many penalties attached to discourage people from this deed. Everyone should strive to be honest. It is considered to be the best policy as it never results in any consequences whatsoever.