Why do we lie? - CrowdScience podcast, BBC World Service

CrowdScience listener Anthony from Cambodia asked us to find out why we lie and how conscious we are of the lies that we tell?
Click here to subscribe to our channel 👉🏽 bbc.in/3VyyriM
CrowdScience’s Caroline Steel is in the hot seat, on a journey where she will attempt to untangle the complex story behind lying.
It’s a subject scientists and psychologists have been studying for a long time. It’s also something writers, philosophers and theologists have been interpreting for thousands of years. But we’re only now really starting to get to grips with how it works as a human behaviour.
There are lies in our folklore, lies in the media and also lies in everyday conversation. It’s something we’ve all had to learn to navigate at some point in our lives.
Our journey will take us to meet the world’s ‘second best liar’, an award she picked up at West Virginia’s Liar Contest. We’ll also meet a comedian who’s proud of the down-to-earth plain honesty of Dutch people.
An academic who has studied thousands of children’s brains will explain when we first start learning to lie. And we’ll hear about new research using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which is helping to show how the more we actually lie, the less our brain reacts telling us not to.
Caroline looks at how lying changes from culture to culture. Do we really all lie? And do we lie in the same way? The surprising and intriguing answer is found in how early it develops in us as a human behaviour.
0:00 Introduction
2:40 When do we start lying?
4:50 From first lies to peak lying age around seven
5:50 Teenagers are the most honest age group
6:25 Different types of lie - white lies to red lies
8:15 How many lies do we tell a day?
10:00 The story of The Boy Who Cried Wolf
12:45 Meet Ariana, the world's second best liar
15:20 How can you get away with a lie?
16:10 What goes on in our brain when we lie?
18:30 Can we lie without realising it?
22:15 Differences in lying around the world
Watch more episodes of CrowdScience here 👉🏽 • CrowdScience
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Click here to subscribe to our channel 👉🏽 bbc.in/3VyyriM

[@EnglishStoryShared]

Thanks for sharing this podcast! It's always fascinating to explore the reasons behind human behavior.

[@ChutamaneeratSaeLim]

I do love the ending, at least, I may feel better, when I'm trying to be polite by saying a lie😂. Thanks for sharing it via this angle of view😊

[@seangnyvith735]

From Cambodia 🇰🇭 ❤

[@sofiahabtemariam6628]

“Very interesting topic. In my opinion, I prefer children’s lies over adult lies, not in phrase support lines, but in general, because adult lies are often noticed as shameful. Thank you.

[@sajadkarimi-qd6cn]

Q

[@arzubursali4826]

😅😢

[@SaBoTeUr2001]

When i was studying overseas (Australia), at first I thought people are so friendly, always asking me how I'm doing. But soon, I noticed they did this less and less. I didn't realize that they didn't really want to know how I was, so when I answered honestly, they were put off and started avoiding me. How depressing is that? I have to lie to keep them happily uninvolved with me.

[@user-nv2yn2yc7g]

Thank you so much that you were shared with this a video and I learned about it.

[@gracerodgers8952]

Excellent subject, I'll be sure to tell all my friends to check it out 🤥

[@richardleirer]

Wow, celebrating children telling Lies and believing that is an example of a beneficial growth milestone is a benchmark for the downfall of our world. A special Thank you to therapist and counselors who have helped us become this way.

[@aqdasikram]

it starts with learning the first language. where you have to be taught expressions for sake of learning.... i have two sisters, my father is a farmer, a complete essay on my cow where no one in my relative or neighbourhood ever had it. the expression is delinked with reality to make you learn to speak out of box suitable to situation than reality

[@bksandhyamansia2279]

Beautiful conversation......it can be more transparent with video

[@truthoverlies1820]

BBC are experts in this field!

[@Wingsofconfidence]

😂

[@littlefluffybushbaby7256]

So why did you visit? Either to hear what it was about, in which case you must think the BBC has some credibility, or simply to leave a snide remark without listening, in which case how can you judge? I had a look at your channel and your playlists. You seem to be into stuff about time travel and weird nonsense. I'd trust the BBC more than your half-brained expertise.

[@truthoverlies1820]

@@littlefluffybushbaby7256 In order to understand facts from bs you have to look at both sides deary. It's tragic that you're so emotionally attached to the ministry of truth that you can't see the wood for the trees. I clicked on the video to see how the ministry of truth were reporting the narrative. Once I could see through the lies I was then able to call bs..and leaving a truthful remark is not only our right but our duty..especially in today's world. It's interesting that people like you always try to attack the character of others rather than discuss the subject at hand..First of all I would say time travel is impossible..but just because I don't concur with the premise of an argument doesn't mean I lose all interest.. I'm interested in all manner of subjects, not just regime approved ones. You maybe limited to a certain realm of interests but I'm certainly not..I'm as inquisitive as they come..and its only through curiosity that one strengthens their discernment.

[@truthoverlies1820]

@@littlefluffybushbaby7256 also I've just made all my other playlists public..you might want to look at them..u might learn acting or two!

[@ohohmei]

😅

[@tommasoolanda1665]

Love the bit of comedy at the end 😄. Btw, the first time I stood in front of the BBC building in London I almost cried. Such an immense moment. Due to my passion for Doctor Who.

[@shaxriyorismatullayev5897]

The best topic in general the lies help in some situations and we use lies when in bad situation maybe solve problems also that situation changes good side

[@user-ru9qz4oh4j]

Большое спасибо за ваш труд

[@user-fk8ro9zj6y]

Nice lesson 👏

[@MysteryofTheTrinity]

Kids always know when parents are lying, at least unconsciously, and they learn to lie from their examples. That's sad

[@geneziogenezio7579]

That's Ridiculous Not Everyone Lies Still Have Few Honest People In This Disturbing People World...

[@littlefluffybushbaby7256]

Unfortunately studies show that pretty much everyone does on a daily basis. Often not malicious lies but those little fibs we say to avoid making others unhappy. It's a form of social lubrication we learn at a very young age.

[@MuthuKumaran-hb6ku]

Awesome!

[@ZahraMirzayeva]

Very good!👍

[@Sammasambuddha]

But brick not hit back.

[@LovingLifeOnLess]

We lie because we KNOW or we BELIEVE the truth isn't good enough.

[@toniacollinske2518]

That was fun. Having moved to Ireland from USA, I've had to learn a new method of lying. Will you have a cup? Oh no! I'm just here a moment. 15 minutes later... I'll put on the kettle. No, no. I'm just off. 10 minutes later... Will you have sugar in your tea? Yes, please

[@MOHAMMEDALI-nc6sd]

Amazing subject matter, hahaha😊.

[@timtaylor1365]

"The more they lie the more they don't care"....where have I heard that before? Oh yes, relating to a recent occupant of 10 Downing Street London .

[@dannyflex6406]

The guy from Cambodia has a really cool accent

[@cosminpopa8208]

we live as defensive mechanism, my relatives lied 10 years when I found out The Shame was so horrific that they had to avoid me for life, never speak or look at me or spend time with me, that s the conclusion, which is good if you want freedom and no drama

[@moamarsayed9778]

You haven't any channel on telegram? If you have can you send me the link The podcast is very benefit for me

[@DamagedGooseberry]

It's just using language and our survival instinct working together.

[@xzyeee]

We learn to lie from our parents but there's an innate desire to when looking out for number one.

[@littlefluffybushbaby7256]

It's a survival skill that even animals use. Not uniquely human, nor a totally bad thing. For instance, imagine two people are being shown someones baby. One says "what a cutie", the other says "OMG what an ugly baby!". Who's the monster? The liar or the honest person?

[@xzyeee]

​@@littlefluffybushbaby7256 humm...both actually. The first, for telling a lie and the second for the exaggerated truth...which is a lie. There is a more objective way of describing the truth. Lies start wars...ask Putin.

[@littlefluffybushbaby7256]

@@xzyeee I can't agree that you're a monster for telling a lie when the consequences of being utterly truthful causes pain. I think if you said someone's baby was ugly that's more likely to 'cause a war' than saying it's lovely. Like it or not, lying is part of getting along socially. As for Putin's lies starting wars I think it's somewhat more complicated than that. Politicians, like all humans, lie all the time. It doesn't always lead to war.

[@tilkesh]

Thx

[@guidofaria6721]

I loved it. And that is not a live.

[@mels6011]

from Japan♡

[@sabidabegom8078]

❤

[@boonsakweerawongchai4685]

Just come to live in Thailand.

[@mtam7575]

My 11year old lie alot I have to keep scrutinised him all the time.

[@amretexo394]

❤❤❤

[@nawaminau]

i try my very best not to.I hate lies.

[@littlefluffybushbaby7256]

So you meet an old friend, you're going to say "wow, you've got fat". Being totally honest would be a nightmare for others and you'd soon find yourself without friends. It's a matter of the purpose behind it. Smoothing social interactions or manipulating people. We can also lie by omission. We all lie much more often than we think.

[@janklaas6885]

📍15:20

[@Sammasambuddha]

Buddah says, "The truth you want, you seek. The truth you hate, finds you." Also, "The Truth hurts more than lies."

[@ikenoyakazuhiro7660]

Human is an animal. Animals are destined to live and produce descendants. Whatever means they took for their survival, those were OK. Honesty was valueless, if it did not help their survival. Please remember that there were no moral or no justice when our ancestors struggled every day to seek food to survive in prehistoric days. Evil or not those who outlived prevailed. We are their descendants. Moral and justice are recently arrived notions. Our conscious is developed on a pace with the enlargement of cerebral cortex and its function is to help smooth implementation of our survival instinct. Truth and lie are basically no different as long as they facilitate our survival. Not that I recommend lies but lying is an acceptable natural behavior as long as it does not harm other people.

[@eddyr1041]

Hence lying, at least for kids, is exciting.... that why that onevof the first lesson usually don't lie. And is like drugs 😅

[@joekingfhrgg3484]

Ktos zrobi streszczenie tego ?

[@user-ck8dq9fk1u]

I was interested in the fact that children learn about lies after 2 years old. 10524

[@user-wd9gr8sn5s]

I count if we live without lying, we can see how many enemies are living with us. And we have even so much problem than before. Because currently it's sooo hard to perform our plans without lying. Am I right?

[@user-qp8op3qu8t]

I do agree, we can't share all our future plans with people around us.

[@user-ho2bw8kd9z]

BBC: Why do we lie.... ou yea baby/ finally🤭

[@thirtymillionoveryou]

yeah why do you

[@dubiousName]

Emotion habituation, instantly thinking of the orange baby 😅

[@karintsuchidart]

"Japan, theres even a language for it" - means "Tatemae" 建前?

[@cagdassakinci5326]

🙂different topic

[@not_dash0]

Nice video. First one here?

[@duncankiragu8355]

I lie more than I realized.

[@keikeisongs]

X: Honne ○：Hon-Ne 本音 x: Teamae ○：Tate-MaE 建前

[@eniseakbati]

Fifty shades of lie😂 😂

[@cat-tzu1234]

BTW your pronunciation of the Japanese words "honne" and "tatemae" is incorrect. Honestly.

[@ZahraMirzayeva]

🧠💪

[@Kamolahon-pr8ir]

Omg

[@LeoA-zm8vf]

because of nuland's cookies ?

[@DrewJmsn]

You're not telling a lie if you believe it.

[@user-qv4ze8zm4h]

Wow, they hate each other. You don't care about your family. You only focus on your tiny nests..

[@Anita-qz4tf]

That world 1 biggest liar is me.its on person to person who like to tell lie ,age not matter to become pusdo manic

[@Francis_UD]

7:12 lies of modesty or humility don't really count as lies, in my books..

[@user-jc6he6yq8w]

how ariana lier

[@nubiasantos8933]

We lie because we"re sinners...

[@vicmoor3]

Didn't answer nothing

[@kepspark3362]

That was funny & enlightening! Thanks! Honestly!😂😉

[@mansoorzafar136]

I didn’t lesson all the podcast, didn’t had time

[@ingilistiicir]

how are you ? i am good . (but i am not) :)

[@Sam-567]

We learned to lie from the British.

[@rob1016ny]

The irony… do you see some of your clickbait titles. Why do you lie in your video uploads? Why won’t you answer my question but yet want everyone to listen to you ask others. Are your questions more important than your viewers.

[@atcharasutti8968]

How BBC learned to lie ?

[@pheonix-one]

Have you started checking with our Government?. Also Israeli spokespeople? Is it cultural?

[@RahulPatel-wn8gv]

Ariana lies bcos she's highly motivated to compete with other liars, to win the gold medal if not silver medal... Aren't u lying now, Caroline..? Am stumped, Jack.... plumb lbw... to be honest with u hv edited, cropped, snipped, huge parts of the content shot for this show... sooh to that extent am not being entirely or even to a reasonable extent /degree, fair & square with my audience... Instead should u not be seriously wondering as to what motivates individuals, the ones highly succesful, to glibly lie, cheat, swindle their fans, audience, among others on a mass scale...? Ooohh yeeaah i get it the super succesful celebrity influencers, who routunely poze for global brands, products, real estate who're proven, known, outright frauds, cheats...? U tell me Jack, why'd an immensely succesful celebrity do that...? before that u tell me Caroline, why do highly paid / compensated hugely corporate guys, lie, cheat, commit eggregious frauds...? Are they compromised, in cahoots with the top shot ie the CEO /CMD of the corporate /business /bank, or are they simply plain greedy...? most of the times its the permissive culture fostered by the yop mgt of the be it cirporate body, org, NGO or even a so called religious /spiritual cabal... where the entire globe has witnessed massive fraudsz cheats, embezzlement, even killings as they're exposed.... It'd ve been worth everyones while if u'd realky focussed on specific instances which severely affect a large number of ppls... for instance...? for eg sports guys... soccer or cricketors... the hugely succesful computer engineer spinner of Bangalore... kniwn as jumbo for the jet speed at which he delivers.... although its widely well known fact of most cricketors being severely compromised & only one or two, publicly named & shamed, paving the way clear for the rest to continue, to flourish, prosper exponentially, cheating grossly, fraudulently... When this spinner was exposed forca glaring conflict of interest, running a player mgt company, promoting his players, while being a selector /coach or in a position to influence the decisions either way, he smugly & nonchalantly rebutted of not being a Gandhi, & not willing to give up everything in order to continuecwhat he was caught doing... Why drag Gandhi into this Jack..? Is he trying to project himself, equating himself bigger than Gandhi, the Puppa of the nation, so cavalierly....? Did the South Afrikan cricketors drag Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, when they were exposed, caught punished.... unlike in the case of the Indian super celebrities...? Even if he could not resist the itch /temptation to elevate himself to the level of the leaders of yore, why did he forget the Sangoli Rayanna... Kittur Chennamma - the Ibdian Queen who defied the British EIC - the now forgotten revolt /rebellion of 1824 by the present day suoer heroes of her own geography... the Princely state of Mysore...!!! Didn't Andy Flower & Henri Oolonga publicly protest in the SA - WC - over the widespread, racism, apartheid, in Zimbabwe, causing widespreas deaths due to starvation, hunger, poverty, racism...? The moot pount here Jack is, what do the supposedly popular global brands hv to say, by choosing such opportunistic, known - cheats, frauds to represent them, their products, their image...? This ace spinner who represents the Education Emperor in Manipal besides Pearson plc - global educationists, publishers, among other commodity brands, banks et al, why don't u aks them Caroline, as to what compels them to lie, cheat, brazenly...? Will u, can u aks them, Caroline....?

[@spankflaps1365]

The thumbnail really takes the biscuit.

[@BBCWorldService]

Oh crumbs!

[@Mydearstudentgirlsexpress-love]

السلام عليكم