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Self-deception, lying, and the ability to deceive

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 February 2011

Aldert Vrij
Affiliation:
Psychology Department, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth PO1 2DY, United Kingdom. [email protected]://www.port.ac.uk/departments/academic/psychology/staff/title,50475,en.html

Abstract

Von Hippel & Trivers (VH&T) argue that people become effective liars through self-deception. It can be said, however, that people who believe their own stories are not lying. VH&T also argue that people are quite good lie detectors, but they provide no evidence for this, and the available literature contradicts their claim. Their reasons to negate this evidence are unconvincing.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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