While most people tell the occasional white lie, a small minority engage in chronic deception, lying frequently and often with significant consequences. Research shows that just five per cent of people are responsible for half of all lies told. These prolific liars often possess a unique combination of mental capabilities and personality traits that enable and justify their behaviour.
Cognitive ability plays a key role in lying. Studies suggest that lying is mentally demanding, requiring the suppression of truth, fabrication of falsehoods, and memory of the deception. People with high ‘fluid intelligence’ – the ability to reason and problem-solve under pressure – are more adept at lying, especially in spontaneous situations. Children with better working memory and inhibitory control also show stronger lying abilities, supporting the idea that deception requires significant cognitive effort.
Practice appears to make lying easier. In one study, participants who were encouraged to lie more frequently found it became less mentally taxing over time. This may explain how prolific liars maintain their behaviour without being caught.
However, intelligence alone doesn’t make someone a liar. Personality traits, particularly those in the ‘dark triad’ – Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy – are heavily associated with chronic dishonesty. Such individuals often lack empathy, are manipulative, and are more comfortable using lies for personal gain. They may even justify their behaviour by believing others lie just as frequently.
Some liars go beyond strategic deception. Pathological liars, suffering from a condition known as pseudologia fantastica or mythomania, lie compulsively and often without clear benefit. Unlike prolific liars, they may feel remorse and struggle with cognitive control, unable to stop themselves despite the consequences.
Effective liars often use specific strategies: keeping lies simple, plausible, and embedding them within truthful narratives. These techniques help avoid inconsistencies and detection.
High-profile cases like Elizabeth Holmes and Lance Armstrong illustrate how lying can initially bring success but ultimately lead to public disgrace. Despite the short-term gains, research shows that frequent liars tend to experience lower self-esteem and a poorer quality of life.
In the end, the evidence supports the age-old advice: honesty is the best policy.
