"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." ~Mark Twain
August 31, 2011 8:02 AM
Is a lie more believable if it is simple or complicated & detailed? Discuss.
This post was deleted for the following reason: Chatfilter. -- cortex
Chatfilter.
posted by greta simone at 8:08 AM on August 31, 2011
posted by greta simone at 8:08 AM on August 31, 2011
I vote for "simple."
When you needlessly complicate a story, giving more details than are necessary, it gives the impression that you've been plotting out the details. That's not what happens when you tell the truth. If I ask you, "so what did you do this weekend?" you say, "went to the beach" and that's it; no embellishment given. So make that your modus operandi when you choose fiction mode.
posted by BostonTerrier at 8:08 AM on August 31, 2011
When you needlessly complicate a story, giving more details than are necessary, it gives the impression that you've been plotting out the details. That's not what happens when you tell the truth. If I ask you, "so what did you do this weekend?" you say, "went to the beach" and that's it; no embellishment given. So make that your modus operandi when you choose fiction mode.
posted by BostonTerrier at 8:08 AM on August 31, 2011
Simple.
Here's how to tell a good lie:
(a) keep it simple. The more detail you share, the more implausible it gets.
(b) Keep it as close to reality as possible.
(c) Keep it PLAUSIBLE. Whatever you're claiming must be something that sounds reasonable and not giving people mental red flags.
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:09 AM on August 31, 2011
Here's how to tell a good lie:
(a) keep it simple. The more detail you share, the more implausible it gets.
(b) Keep it as close to reality as possible.
(c) Keep it PLAUSIBLE. Whatever you're claiming must be something that sounds reasonable and not giving people mental red flags.
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:09 AM on August 31, 2011
greta simone, I wasn't sure if this type of question would be allowed. I didn't see it anyplace else when I searched, so I figured I'd see if it works, it has to be taken down, so be it.
posted by Fizz at 8:09 AM on August 31, 2011
posted by Fizz at 8:09 AM on August 31, 2011
In studies of criminal complaints, quantity of detail is strongly correlated with truth telling. However, that's a different question from the one you asked. What correlates with the truth is not necessarily the same as what correlates with believability.
posted by jedicus at 8:13 AM on August 31, 2011
posted by jedicus at 8:13 AM on August 31, 2011
jenfullmoon,
You hit on what I have always been advised when telling a lie. To make the lie similar to the truth or as close as possible. I've also had great discussions with friends (usually alcohol induced) where I've been told that some detail can provide a bit more strength to your lie as to be vague can lead to follow-up questions that cannot be answered or confirmed.
Better to supply your own answers than have none at all.
posted by Fizz at 8:13 AM on August 31, 2011
You hit on what I have always been advised when telling a lie. To make the lie similar to the truth or as close as possible. I've also had great discussions with friends (usually alcohol induced) where I've been told that some detail can provide a bit more strength to your lie as to be vague can lead to follow-up questions that cannot be answered or confirmed.
Better to supply your own answers than have none at all.
posted by Fizz at 8:13 AM on August 31, 2011
A lie can travel halfway round the world while chatfilter is still being deleted.
posted by rmd1023 at 8:14 AM on August 31, 2011
posted by rmd1023 at 8:14 AM on August 31, 2011
Whether it will be believed is context-sensitive and depends on the smartness and background of the believer-in-spe. How elaborately your lie is made up also depends on context. So: Chatfilter.
Also [sorry, but it needs sayin'] I have always been advised not telling a lie. YMMV but not much.
posted by Namlit at 8:18 AM on August 31, 2011
Also [sorry, but it needs sayin'] I have always been advised not telling a lie. YMMV but not much.
posted by Namlit at 8:18 AM on August 31, 2011
The most believable lie is a detailed one, since people see complexity as an indication of truth. However, the more details you add, the greater risk you run that they'll seem implausible or contradictory.
Also: don't lie.
posted by John Cohen at 8:21 AM on August 31, 2011
Also: don't lie.
posted by John Cohen at 8:21 AM on August 31, 2011
The way you tell a story when it's true is usually to volunteer the generalities, and if somebody asks questions you fill in the details as needed.
you: "We went to the beach this weekend."
them: "Oh, awesome, how were the waves?"
If you were really at the beach, you will know how to answer this question without being startled. If you weren't there, you'll panic, or have to make up an answer, or give an answer that the questioner knows is wrong. The third option is if you weren't there AND you're a really good liar, you'll already have all the details worked out in your head and verified with fact, so you can answer as though you really were at the beach.
So, don't lie. But if you're trying to lie well, keep it publicly simple but already know all the details in your head.
posted by vytae at 8:25 AM on August 31, 2011
you: "We went to the beach this weekend."
them: "Oh, awesome, how were the waves?"
If you were really at the beach, you will know how to answer this question without being startled. If you weren't there, you'll panic, or have to make up an answer, or give an answer that the questioner knows is wrong. The third option is if you weren't there AND you're a really good liar, you'll already have all the details worked out in your head and verified with fact, so you can answer as though you really were at the beach.
So, don't lie. But if you're trying to lie well, keep it publicly simple but already know all the details in your head.
posted by vytae at 8:25 AM on August 31, 2011
The top two things that make lies believable IMO are:
1. How often the person usually lies. Or, how often you've felt that things they say don't really add up or are weird or unexplainable, even if you don't know for a fact they are lies.
2. The degree to which the lie is both internally consistent and consistent with known reality.
Doesn't really have much to do with amount of detail.
posted by Ashley801 at 8:28 AM on August 31, 2011
1. How often the person usually lies. Or, how often you've felt that things they say don't really add up or are weird or unexplainable, even if you don't know for a fact they are lies.
2. The degree to which the lie is both internally consistent and consistent with known reality.
Doesn't really have much to do with amount of detail.
posted by Ashley801 at 8:28 AM on August 31, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by The 10th Regiment of Foot at 8:06 AM on August 31, 2011