Monday, February 9, 2015

How Do You Know When a Sociopath, Narcissist or Borderline Is Lying?


Their lips are moving.

The End.

That’s a facile and clichéd answer, but, more often than not, an accurate one.

Sociopaths, psychopaths, narcissists, borderlines and histrionics lie for many reasons. Self-preservation (e.g., to avoid jail or other unwanted natural consequences for their bad behavior), to manipulate or exploit others to get money, sympathy, power, attention, security, a relationship or whatever their current currency happens to be and/or to make themselves look good or more successful than they actually are. Sometimes, these individuals lie when the truth would serve them better or they lie simply because they’re bored.

They also lie because they enjoy the buzz or adrenaline rush from “getting one over on” or “outsmarting” their target. Dr Paul Ekman calls this rush duping delight.

. . . duping delight, the near irresistible thrill some people feel in taking a risk and getting away with it. Sometimes it includes contempt for the target who is being so ruthlessly and successfully exploited. It is hard to contain duping delight; those who feel it want to share their accomplishments with others, seeking admiration for their exploits.  (more...)



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