Playing the Lying Game

Whether it's in business or politics, between friends, inside a family, or within intimate relationships, lies abound. This book examines who lies and why, identifies six types of lies and liars, and suggests how to protect yourself from manipulation. Everyone lies, perhaps to protect the feelings of another, perhaps to secure a deal that will, in the end, benefit all parties. But where is the line between a "good lie" and a harmful prevarication—and how do we recognize and protect ourselves from the latter? In Playing the Lying Game: Detecting and Dealing with Lies and Liars, from Occasional Fibbers to Frequent Fabricators, accomplished author Gini Graham Scott shares psychological insights into lying that will help answer such questions—and many more. Scott examines every facet of lying, including its history, cultural connections, and motivations. She identifies six types of lies and liars and explains how to detect each type, whether one is confronted with the occasional fibber or a sociopathic, compulsive liar. The book covers lies told in business and politics, lies among friends, lies between dates, married couples, and family members, as well as lies we tell our ourselves. Finally, Scott offers a Lie-Q Test that will help us see how savvy we are—or are not—in detecting fibs, mistruths, and downright deceptions.