Types of Lies According to Stephanie Ericsson

White Lie

When someone lies to you to protect you. One example is when I don’t want to talk on the phone I decide to tell whoever is calling me that I am busy doing homework and I cant talk unless it is very important.

Façade

Façade is like wearing a mask. You create an image for someone or something else. An example of a façade is when you go to a job interview you may not be or act like your casual self. Depending on the job you may act more sophisticated and use vocabulary you do not normally use.

Ignoring the plain facts

Is being dismissive of the facts and convincing your self there is nothing wrong. For example I tried to convince myself that sneaking out would be “okay” because my parents were being unreasonable. The truth was that they sneaking out could be potential danger lurking and my parents are just trying to keep me safe. 

Deflecting

Deflecting is when direct the attention from the truth and focus it on something else (can be more lies). When I was in high school and my parents wouldn’t let me barrow the car I would deflect the attention by pointing out that they let me use the car only when it is convenient for them. 

Omission

Omission is when you tell part of the truth but not the complete truth. When I went to the movies my parents asked me who was going to be there and I told them all the names of my girlfriends and did not mention that we were going to meet boys there.

 Stereotypes and clichés

Stereotypes and clichés are made up of “exaggeration, omission and ignorance” says Ericsson. An example of a stereotype is when some people see a beautiful person they jump to the conclusion that because that person is beautiful that person must be stuck up or have an enormous ego dependent on looks.

Groupthink

Groupthink is when people lie as a group and make the decision to not tell the truth when questioned. One example is when a group of people decides to go out somewhere and not invite a specific person. And they decide not to tell that specific person they all went out together is groupthink.

Out-and-out lie

Is straight out lie. No truth is involved. One example is when my parents ask if I am going out this weekend and I say “absolutely not! I have too much work I need to get done.” When the truth is I am going to parties every night of the weekend.

Dismissal

This is a form of denial or making a decision not to say something or do something about the truth. One example is if a friend is getting cheated on and you know and don’t say anything to your friend you are dismissing the fact of truth being a bystander. Depending on the situation it may a good decision not to say anything.

Delusion

Delusion is when excuses are accepted vs. the truth. One example is the fact that someone I know has parents that are delusional because they know their daughter does things that they are not proud of and they don’t tell their daughter what to do and what not to do. They allow her to continue to make these mistakes and accept the excuses that she gives them.