People lie for a variety of reasons. According to a study conducted by Dr. Bella DePaulo, the average person lies once or twice a day and over the course of a week, deceives about 30 of the people they interact with. This does not include the lies we tell ourselves. Some of the reasons people lie are to:
- gain power
- gain status or improve one’s position (impress others)
- avoid conflict
- avoid an unpleasant truth about themselves
- avoid admitting mistakes
- diminish or suppress someone else
- avoid hurting someone’s feelings
- avoid anger
- avoid responsibility
- gain respect or admiration
- gain self-worth
- be liked
- maintain the status-quo, hoping everything will pass unnoticed
- gain something of value