Why do people feel the NEED to LIE?

Question

"Why do you think this is a women's study question?"
Because ALOT of "information" posted here is not only misleading, much of falls in the category of lies, pure and simple. I don't understand how posting lies can possibly foster improved understanding between the genders. So I ask, why are people making up BS?

You don't need to lie. You can simply say "those aren't the most flattering pair of pants you own" or "the cut of those pants really isn't right for you". That's being truthful.

Here's another perennial favourite "they just don't sit/fit right". My point is that it's just as easy (in fact it's much easier) NOT to lie. So why do people choose to do it?

Since you brought it up....rest assured, findings 'not nationally representative” according to standards set by statisticians' are non-threatening. Posting this wasn't actually a lie - just an example of shoddy scholarship and the results, misleading. How does information of this low calibre help matters any? How does this foster understanding? It doesn't. All is does is confound the issue. Perhaps it's the librarian in me who keeps picking at misinformation - information must be accurate to be of any use.

"J" - PLEASE give it a rest. This question has nothing whatsoever to do with daycare. Here is a literature review on the subject EVALUATING the EVALUATORS. As a reference librarian, this would be the very first thing I would provide to a patron seeking information on the topic:
http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/nao_reports/03-04/268_literaturereview.pdfIt
Anyway, the librarian in me is interested in the nature of the information posted, and why it is that some posters choose to post MISinformation. I don't understand why they choose to do it; what purpose it serves.

Growl...here's that link again:
http://www.nao.org.uk/publications/nao_reports/03-04/268_literaturereview.pdf

MY GOD - STOP CRANKING AND RANTING! IT'S ENOUGH ALREADY.

Lies, lies and more lies:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AjSUH4RRNd7F3tuC.iLqwcnsy6IX?qid=20070614032653AAhvSFl&show=7#profile-info-RQWWnDitaa
"Why do feminists keep throwing all these false numbers and "studies" in our face?"

Answer 1

People need to lie for many reasons....to bolster a weak self image...to protect themselves from punishment....to escape the reality and pain of being someone not up to their self expectations. Lastly...to bring pain to another being....Peace to all sentient beings......

Answer 2

....and you're a fan of improving communication between people? Sorry, I'm just not seeing that. Why do people feel the need to lie? You mean like, "99% of men cheat", or nonsense like that? Good question. Do you mean, "why do people post statistics that make me feel uncomfortable or challenge my ideologies"? The answer to that is simple. We are here to discuss. No discussion can take place without interesting questions and intriguing data. We can either learn from it, bring our own competing stats, or sit back and watch some nice discussions unfold.

EDIT: I'd be happy to email you ten other studies showing the same thing. If anything, the NICHD study makes it seem as though childcare is less harmful than it really is. In fact, that was the initial purpose - to "prove" that it was great.

Short of reading the actual studies, which I have done, next best is to hear from the researchers themselves. Dr. Belsky actually did a full 180 after looking at his own research, and basically ruined his career by stepping up and saying "daycare is bad". That's why I refer to the NICHD study at all - it changed the mind of the head researcher.

But I'd be happy to send you some links to better studies. The Quebec one was pretty good. A website PROMOTING the government's daycare system (as you directed me to) is not a good source. Neither is anything commisioned by Sandra Scarr, CEO of "Kindercare" daycare chains. (Unless you think the Phillip Morris website is a smart place to find info about the dangers of smoking....) "Iffy" is anything written in a newspaper, or worse, blog, from a working mother cherry-picking one or two "bright spots" from a study. As a Librarian, I'm sure you understand this. Since it's hard to post an entire study in one little answer, I'll go with posting the words of the researcher himself. OK?

Answer 3

When we are small children, we lie to avoid taking responsibility for our actions.
That pretty much works until we reach adolescence, then hormones kick in and everything gets confused.
Hormones add an emotional dimension to EVERYTHING.
Emotions are driven by strange and poorly understood chemical reactions. They make us take actions based on FEELINGS rather than on thought and logic.
You may as well toss all truth out the door as long as FEELINGS are the basis of response. Truth holds no value until thought and logic can reign supreme.
That is why ancient civilizations didn't consider anyone an adult until they were old enough to override the effects of raging hormones.
IMPORTANT decisions should NEVER be based on FEELINGS.
What pair of pants to wear? NOT important. Better throw truth out and go for the feelings.
But your point is well taken.

Answer 4

There is a huge difference between a blatant lie and wording things gently, or leaving out every detail of your thoughts/feelings in an encounter with another.
Relationships are built on trust and respect, and COMPLETE and utter brutal honesty serves no one.
Little children lie astonishingly well when they are carried away by flights of imagination.
They are also easily lied to, as they believe things based strictly on trust--IE: Santa, Tooth Fairy, etc
In another question, one answerer posted that teenagers often go through a stage of naked Truth Telling in order to rebel against what they perceive as lies told to them as little children.
Adults are in a constantly evolving state of using 'white' lies and truth to their and others advantage.

Good luck

Answer 5

mostly its from not being willing to be truthful, with themselves or others

many people think if they lie about everything that people beleive it

maybe a few people even do, for the first 10 minutes or so

Answer 6

I think people lie to make other people like them. It sounds like some of the people on here lie just to make people mad, tho, which I don't get.

Answer 7

look....99% tell the truth and the 1% are liars...hahaha

it is probably the opposite...get over yourself...everybody lies..even white lies here and there..it isn't ALWAYS what you say...sometimes it is what you conveniently..leave out...

Answer 8

When my wife asks "does my bum look big in this?", what should I say?


EDIT: Thanks for the advice, but I was just being facetious. My wife actually has a pert bottom and doesn't need to be patronized. I don't know why I lied to you Graymalkin - can you find it in your heart to forgive me?