To Lie or Not to Lie

A detailed Summary of To Lie or Not to Lie

George Washington and the cherry tree is a famous story demonstrating how one could not tell a lie. In the year 2002 there is very little stress on honesty. It has become socially acceptable to tell a "white lie." However, when people are asked about lying the majority would agree that it is wrong. I have conducted a series of interviews with five participants regarding lying and their opinion on it. The results of the interviews strengthened my point that people believe lying is wrong, but continue to do it regardless. Though lies are told on a daily basis it does not negate the fact that lying is wrong in our society.

In conducting research on lying, I wanted to interview people who I trust would answer honestly. I found myself in a predicament because (based on my experience) I find that people lie about lying. For instance, your best friend cuts her beautiful long blonde hair, and asks you if you like the new short choppy look. Deep down inside you hate it, but when asked about it you instinctively say, " I love it, it looks really cute." The words have already been uttered out of your mouth and it's too late to take them back. Your best friend needs a little more affirmation about her n

The five trustworthy participants I choose were: Mark, 19, student, works at Vons. Jen, 19, student. Nate, 18, student, works at the bookstore. Julia, 20, student. Finally Luke, 20, student. I have known all of these participants for over a year through church, and have faith they would answer truthfully. I wanted to put some type of accountability on their honesty so I actually asked them at church.

The second half of the interview consisted of questions regarding lies they have been told. The lies they had recently been told varied from: a previous commitment that was never followed through, talking behind the back of a participant, someone's real name, being good, and the time. The question arose about why the person had lied. I discovered that each participant was stumped. Uncertainty about why the lie was told was very clear. However, one participant did say, "Because people are cowards and can't tell the truth." I found similarities in the female's reaction to a lie. The females tended to become emotionally upset, or angered. The males seemed to blatantly justify the lie with reason. For example, one of the male participants explained the lie by simply stating the liar was an idiot, and did not know what he was talking about. On the other hand, the females got pissed, and real upset with the liar.

The question that followed regarded what lie they had been told that upset them the most. Coincidently each participant's most hurtful lie was based on someone breaking his or her trust. I found that very interesting, but holding true in my own life. The lies that they claimed as most upsetting were: a mother reading a participants diary, false identity, pretending to be a friend, family history, and the truth in what really happened.

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Approximate Word count = 1196
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English