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Deceit is widespread

A study by the University of Virginia in the US shows that lies are part of one in every five ten-minute conversations. Educated, middle class people lie even more frequently; on average in every third conversation.

It is believed that the difference is due to a better education, a better vocabulary and a sense of security that make it easier to lie. At the same time, people with a certain education level can see more easily the advantages which a well-placed lie can give and they are thus also more inclined to bend the truth somewhat.

Amongst other things, the study shows that 68 per cent of men would lie or cheat to get a job while 62 per cent of the women would do the same.

The American psychologist Paul Ekman has been ...