In other words, a cognitive distortion is a fancy way of saying that you are lying to yourself. These lies usually serve the purpose of reinforcing or exacerbating negative thoughts and emotions about yourself or situations you face or may face in the future.
Researchers employ reaction time as a lie detection cue and propose that people deliver lies more slowly than truths (e.g., Walczyk et al., 2003). Researchers assume that slower reaction times indicate one was contending with a heavier cognitive load.
But in early childhood, lying reflects an important milestone in cognitive development. When children start to lie, it means they understand that other people have different beliefs than they do.
Pathological lying is a possible symptom of certain personality disorders, including: borderline personality disorder (BPD) narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) antisocial personality disorder (APD)
It is possible that the negative affect involved in lying induces dissonance, which later becomes self-deception. Cognitive dissonance (Festinger, 1957) arises when one's beliefs and actions contradict each other. An easy way to avoid the discomfort of having lied, is to believe that the lie is the truth.
The liar lacks the ability to consider what you might feel in response to their lie (which is empathy).
Psychiatrists have recognized pathological lying as a mental affliction since the late 1800s, yet experts say it has never been given serious attention, funding or real study. It doesn't have its own diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM, the bible of psychiatry.
Lying can be a symptom of some mental health conditions according to a 2021 review, including borderline personality disorder and antisocial personality disorder. People with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) may lie to mask compulsions or stop friends and family from worrying about their behaviors.
Narcissistic pathological liars may lie for attention, to make themselves feel better, to feel superior to others or to manipulate others for the purposes of self-gain.
Lying allows a person to establish perceived control over a situation by manipulating it. It's a defence mechanism that (seemingly) prevents them from being vulnerable, that is, to not open up and reveal their true self to another person.
Cognitive load manipulations often involve memorizing a sequence (e.g., Gilbert et al., 1995, Gilbert and Osborne, 1989, Shiv and Fedorikhin, 1999). Since subjects made numeric giving decisions, we used a sequence of letters to avoid anchoring effects (Tversky, 1974).
When people lie and they are confronted with evidence that contradicts those lies, they may change their story or deny the truth altogether. They may also try to manipulate others to maintain their false story. Blaming others for their lies. They may try to deflect blame or shift responsibility onto others.
Dark empathy is characterized by emotional distance disguised as charm and understanding. It is usually motivated by personal gain. Dark empathy is related to the dark triad personality traits. The dark triad refers to the malevolent personality types of narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy.
The narcissistic liar
This type of person never admits to making a mistake, even when the mistake could be a growth opportunity for your PR team. He or she is often a "people person" seeking attention when things go right, bragging or exaggerating accomplishments, while being quick to place blame and criticize others.
The ENTJ. You're brutally honest. You don't beat around the bush when talking sense to people, and the more you care about someone the more you'll try to prove it through honesty and insight. You make sure that people don't make stupid mistakes, hurt themselves, or waste their time on fruitless ventures.
History. The type D personality was defined in the 1990s, describing individuals who experience feelings of negativity, depression, anxiety, stress, chronic anger, and loneliness. The distressed personality type is also prone to pessimism, low self-esteem, and difficulty making personal connections with others.
Those who are introverted, intuitive, thinking, and judging tend to be hard workers, Sameera Sullivan, matchmaker and relationship expert, tells Best Life.
Cognitive dissonance is not a mental health condition, and a person does not necessarily need treatment for it. However, if a person finds that they have difficulty stopping a behavior or thinking pattern that is causing them distress, they can seek support from a doctor or therapist.
Lying Changes the Brain
The researchers said the amygdala shows up less and less, as we lie more and more. Essentially, our guilt feelings tend to weaken and shrink. Also lies that helped the person telling the lie may draw even less response from the amygdala.