Deception (Lying)

Definition

Deception is most commonly defined as intentional attempts to mislead others through words or behaviors. Deception can involve misrepresenting one's actual beliefs, knowledge, feelings, characteristics, or experiences. The term lying is commonly used to describe explicit verbal deception (e.g., telling your boss that you were late for work because of traffic, when in reality you overslept). However, deception is more than intentionally providing others with false verbal statements; it also includes verbal omissions or the withholding of information (e.g., not telling your spouse about an affair). Deception can also be, and perhaps is most commonly, behavioral (e.g., concealing sadness by smiling, getting cosmetic surgery to appear younger). Lying and purposefully misleading others are generally viewed as socially unacceptable, although some forms of deception are socially ...