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Big Liars: What Psychological Science Tells Us About Lying and How You Can Avoid Being Duped
This book investigates the science behind “big liars”—those rare people who use lies as their principal way of navigating life.
Most people are mostly honest, most of the time. And there aren't that many big, pants-on-fire liars in the population overall. But just a few big liars can have an outsized impact on the people around them--ruining personal relationships, bankrupting businesses, and even, when they attain political power, undermining the fabric of society.
Big Liars explores this small but dangerous group through the lens of psychological science. Fascinating new research gives us insight into the nature of dishonesty and dishonest people, explaining who lies, what types of people lie a lot, how often people lie, how big liars are created, how they operate, how we can recognize them, and how we can avoid being victimized by them. This book has crucial implications for mental health treatment, as well as our efforts to grapple with the effects of big liars—and their big lies—on social movements and society as a whole.
Most people are mostly honest, most of the time. And there aren't that many big, pants-on-fire liars in the population overall. But just a few big liars can have an outsized impact on the people around them--ruining personal relationships, bankrupting businesses, and even, when they attain political power, undermining the fabric of society.
Big Liars explores this small but dangerous group through the lens of psychological science. Fascinating new research gives us insight into the nature of dishonesty and dishonest people, explaining who lies, what types of people lie a lot, how often people lie, how big liars are created, how they operate, how we can recognize them, and how we can avoid being victimized by them. This book has crucial implications for mental health treatment, as well as our efforts to grapple with the effects of big liars—and their big lies—on social movements and society as a whole.
361 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 25, 2023
17 people are currently reading
5040 people want to read
About the author
Christian L. Hart
3 books7 followersDr. Hart is a Professor of Psychology at Texas Woman’s University, where he is the Director of the Psychological Science program as well as the Director of the Human Deception Laboratory. His research focuses on lying and other forms of deception. His book, Pathological Lying: Theory, Research, and Practice was published by the American Psychological Association. Additionally, he has a forthcoming book, Big Liars, with the American Psychological Association. Dr. Hart is also a contributor to Psychology Today. He holds a master’s degree and Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 7, 2023
Thank you to the authors, publishers, and as always NetGalley, for an advance digital copy of Big Liars.
Unfortunately, the book I received from NetGalley was only a 17-page synopsis of this book. For me, this provides me insufficient material to comment on a 330 page book on the same topic. What I read left me with very little except more questions, the first of which is, who is this book's audience?
Unfortunately, the book I received from NetGalley was only a 17-page synopsis of this book. For me, this provides me insufficient material to comment on a 330 page book on the same topic. What I read left me with very little except more questions, the first of which is, who is this book's audience?
March 5, 2024
I learned about this book through the Dating Detectives podcast. The authors were interviewed, and their insights were very interesting. Most of us lie regularly, even if it's just a white lie here and there (telling your spouse their hair looks good when maybe it doesn't is the most cited example). However, there's a small percentage who con and lie, which they call "dogfishing" on the podcast. Someone may not be lying about their identity, but they're definitely lying about what they're doing behind everyone's backs. Think Elizabeth Holmes, Bernie Madoff, etc. The authors explain different cases in which these liars have destroyed lives and explore motivation--but many of them are wired that way and can't be changed. It's pretty short and smart, so I recommend it for public libraries so readers can learn practical skills for avoiding liars.
December 25, 2025
In my opinion, this book is not suitable for the general reader. The heavy reliance on academic references makes it more appropriate for readers who are using it for formal study or research, rather than for everyday understanding or practical guidance. As a general reader, I did not personally benefit from the advice presented, as much of the content felt obvious and self-evident.
The book strongly problematizes white lies, but I disagree with the implication that all white lies are wrong or harmful. In real social life, harmless politeness plays an important role in maintaining smooth human interaction. For example, if someone casually asks whether you like them, outside of any romantic or serious context, blunt honesty may be unnecessary and even hurtful. Friendly social interactions often rely on small, harmless compliments that cause no real damage to anyone.
I also believe that constant blunt honesty can sometimes turn into rudeness. In moments of anger or emotional distress, people often need reassurance and calming words rather than strict truth. Offering comforting or soothing words—even if it is not entirely factual—can help de-escalate tension and preserve relationships. Insisting on absolute honesty in trivial matters may upset people unnecessarily and harm social harmony.
Overall, while the book may be useful for academic purposes, I found that it lacks practical sensitivity to everyday human interactions, where empathy, tact, and social awareness are often more valuable than uncompromising truthfulness
The book strongly problematizes white lies, but I disagree with the implication that all white lies are wrong or harmful. In real social life, harmless politeness plays an important role in maintaining smooth human interaction. For example, if someone casually asks whether you like them, outside of any romantic or serious context, blunt honesty may be unnecessary and even hurtful. Friendly social interactions often rely on small, harmless compliments that cause no real damage to anyone.
I also believe that constant blunt honesty can sometimes turn into rudeness. In moments of anger or emotional distress, people often need reassurance and calming words rather than strict truth. Offering comforting or soothing words—even if it is not entirely factual—can help de-escalate tension and preserve relationships. Insisting on absolute honesty in trivial matters may upset people unnecessarily and harm social harmony.
Overall, while the book may be useful for academic purposes, I found that it lacks practical sensitivity to everyday human interactions, where empathy, tact, and social awareness are often more valuable than uncompromising truthfulness
July 12, 2023
Thank you American Psychological Association, APA LifeTools and NetGalley for the ARC!
This was my first foray into non-fiction ARC's and the topic delivered.
Overall, I was surprised that it was mostly an abstract and wouldn't get into all the nitty gritty. The abstract walks the reader through the variations that constitute as a "lie". This was by far the best part. It was a great rendering of how easy it is to lie. There are some definitions people wouldn't even categorize as a lie and I think it helps to set the stage for the reality of the research.
It also walks through how to measure the weigh of a lie's quality and impact. The abstract spent a decent amount of time discussing the severity a "Big Lie" can have, but then the remainder of the writing was a sample survey into the quantity of lies individuals make on a daily basis. It felt a little like there was no proof of concept for the impact of a "Big Lie" despite the narration of the abstract.
Hopefully the full paper will share evidence (survey samples, anthropological studies, etc) on the heavier impact lies and not only on quantity. Similarly, there was a lot of references to the "diary studies". While the topic is fascinating, I spent 20 minutes reading a bunch of numbers. Unless I'm trying to cite this as a resource for my own study, it's disheartening to read, especially when the topic is so intriguing. My recommendation is to contextualize this data. Give examples of what a diary study looks like. Detail the 5 weekly lies. Are there statistics on the severity of the lies throughout the week? If you're lying once a day, after a month is there a transgression of heftier lies overtime? These types of answers are more provocative than a series of numbers of lies across surveys.
This was my first foray into non-fiction ARC's and the topic delivered.
Overall, I was surprised that it was mostly an abstract and wouldn't get into all the nitty gritty. The abstract walks the reader through the variations that constitute as a "lie". This was by far the best part. It was a great rendering of how easy it is to lie. There are some definitions people wouldn't even categorize as a lie and I think it helps to set the stage for the reality of the research.
It also walks through how to measure the weigh of a lie's quality and impact. The abstract spent a decent amount of time discussing the severity a "Big Lie" can have, but then the remainder of the writing was a sample survey into the quantity of lies individuals make on a daily basis. It felt a little like there was no proof of concept for the impact of a "Big Lie" despite the narration of the abstract.
Hopefully the full paper will share evidence (survey samples, anthropological studies, etc) on the heavier impact lies and not only on quantity. Similarly, there was a lot of references to the "diary studies". While the topic is fascinating, I spent 20 minutes reading a bunch of numbers. Unless I'm trying to cite this as a resource for my own study, it's disheartening to read, especially when the topic is so intriguing. My recommendation is to contextualize this data. Give examples of what a diary study looks like. Detail the 5 weekly lies. Are there statistics on the severity of the lies throughout the week? If you're lying once a day, after a month is there a transgression of heftier lies overtime? These types of answers are more provocative than a series of numbers of lies across surveys.
August 8, 2025
This was an interesting read. Listening to the authors in an interview, I was intrigued when they stated that they were trying to have "Patholical Lying" an official diagnosis in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). I don't think it would make much of a different to do so, and I think this behavior is a nuanced one that would be quite difficult to clinically treat.
Overall, the book read like a typical APA text book. I found myself asking a lot of questions in terms of research groups and studies used for reports. I also found the section that shared ways in which we can avoid being duped was very brief and limited. It did not offer strategies I found to be helpful or easily applicable - which, perhaps, is another reflection on the complexities of human interactions and deceptive behavior that presents through this topic.
Overall, the book read like a typical APA text book. I found myself asking a lot of questions in terms of research groups and studies used for reports. I also found the section that shared ways in which we can avoid being duped was very brief and limited. It did not offer strategies I found to be helpful or easily applicable - which, perhaps, is another reflection on the complexities of human interactions and deceptive behavior that presents through this topic.
December 15, 2023
Why do some people seem to lie—a lot—and why are they okay with it? How can we tell when people are lying to us? Those are two of the questions I hoped would be answered by reading Big Liars: What Psychological Science Tells Us About Lying and How You Can Avoid Being Duped.
As might be inferred from the sub-title, the authors, Christian L. Hart and Drew A. Curtis, delve into research related to lying. They do a smooth job of navigating sometimes-contradictory data to provide the reader with a fact-based understanding of the art and science of lying.
They also explore frequency of lying within the population, affirming that almost everyone lies from time to time. However, not all lies are created equal. People lie for different reasons: sometimes to spare others’ feelings, and sometimes for their own gain. Intent matters.
Big Liars is a book I wish I’d had at my disposal during my working days in Human Resources. It would be handy to have some indicators that might suggest whether job applicants, for example, were being forthright about their skills and experiences. However, even in my retired life, I see an application for the book’s findings. For one thing, as an author who sometimes writes mystery short stories, it’s helpful to know a bit more about how and why characters might lie, and how detectives might catch them in the act. On a personal level, it’s also somewhat satisfying to get a better understanding of how public figures and others can lie with a seeming lack of conscience.
The book delves into the strategies employed by liars, for example, repetition of a lie until people start to subconsciously accept it as fact, or bombarding people with so much information—sometimes a blend of lies and facts—that it’s difficult to sort out the wheat from the chaff. The authors also poke holes in some of the conventional wisdom about how to detect lying through body language and speech patterns. For example, a person who hesitates over a response might be assumed to be cooking up a lie, but that might not always be the case. Conversely, a liar might deliver their patter smooth as silk, and be able to control physical indicators of nervousness, thus concealing their mistruths.
That doesn’t mean we should throw up our hands and surrender the world to liars. There are ways we can catch liars at work, and some of them are pretty common-sense. Does logic suggest that a person’s statements are unlikely or even unbelievable? Then you might want to collect more evidence. Do inconsistencies in someone’s story start to show when more information comes to light? Again, you might be dealing with someone dealing in mistruths. Big Liars also notes that some people—a small proportion of the population, thankfully—lie a lot, way more than the majority of the population. If we’re dealing with someone who has lied time and time again, we might be well advised to take much of what they say with a grain of salt.
Big Liars is organized logically, and while individual chapters deal with specific aspects of lying and lie detection, a thread of continuity runs through the book, including the occasional look ahead to future chapters. Being based on science and research, it’s a bit heavier read than an escapist novel, for example, but the authors present information in an entertaining and interesting manner. There are a number of humorous examples of lies that have been told. There are also chilling examples of the damage done by liars in positions of influence—for instance, a spy turned traitor. The book contained some facts that surprised me, too. For example, people sometimes lie to those who they respect, because they don’t want to disappoint them. And lying can hurt the liar, too, in subtle and not-so-subtle ways.
So, back to my questions at the outset: Why do some people seem to lie—a lot—and why are they okay with doing that? How can we tell when people are lying to us? Did Big Liars deliver an answer? I can honestly answer in the affirmative. Big Liars proved to be an interesting read that shed light on one of humanity’s less delightful tendencies.
After seeing an advance copy of this book provided by the publisher, American Psychological Association, via NetGalley, I purchased a copy of Big Liars. All opinions in this review are my own.
As might be inferred from the sub-title, the authors, Christian L. Hart and Drew A. Curtis, delve into research related to lying. They do a smooth job of navigating sometimes-contradictory data to provide the reader with a fact-based understanding of the art and science of lying.
They also explore frequency of lying within the population, affirming that almost everyone lies from time to time. However, not all lies are created equal. People lie for different reasons: sometimes to spare others’ feelings, and sometimes for their own gain. Intent matters.
Big Liars is a book I wish I’d had at my disposal during my working days in Human Resources. It would be handy to have some indicators that might suggest whether job applicants, for example, were being forthright about their skills and experiences. However, even in my retired life, I see an application for the book’s findings. For one thing, as an author who sometimes writes mystery short stories, it’s helpful to know a bit more about how and why characters might lie, and how detectives might catch them in the act. On a personal level, it’s also somewhat satisfying to get a better understanding of how public figures and others can lie with a seeming lack of conscience.
The book delves into the strategies employed by liars, for example, repetition of a lie until people start to subconsciously accept it as fact, or bombarding people with so much information—sometimes a blend of lies and facts—that it’s difficult to sort out the wheat from the chaff. The authors also poke holes in some of the conventional wisdom about how to detect lying through body language and speech patterns. For example, a person who hesitates over a response might be assumed to be cooking up a lie, but that might not always be the case. Conversely, a liar might deliver their patter smooth as silk, and be able to control physical indicators of nervousness, thus concealing their mistruths.
That doesn’t mean we should throw up our hands and surrender the world to liars. There are ways we can catch liars at work, and some of them are pretty common-sense. Does logic suggest that a person’s statements are unlikely or even unbelievable? Then you might want to collect more evidence. Do inconsistencies in someone’s story start to show when more information comes to light? Again, you might be dealing with someone dealing in mistruths. Big Liars also notes that some people—a small proportion of the population, thankfully—lie a lot, way more than the majority of the population. If we’re dealing with someone who has lied time and time again, we might be well advised to take much of what they say with a grain of salt.
Big Liars is organized logically, and while individual chapters deal with specific aspects of lying and lie detection, a thread of continuity runs through the book, including the occasional look ahead to future chapters. Being based on science and research, it’s a bit heavier read than an escapist novel, for example, but the authors present information in an entertaining and interesting manner. There are a number of humorous examples of lies that have been told. There are also chilling examples of the damage done by liars in positions of influence—for instance, a spy turned traitor. The book contained some facts that surprised me, too. For example, people sometimes lie to those who they respect, because they don’t want to disappoint them. And lying can hurt the liar, too, in subtle and not-so-subtle ways.
So, back to my questions at the outset: Why do some people seem to lie—a lot—and why are they okay with doing that? How can we tell when people are lying to us? Did Big Liars deliver an answer? I can honestly answer in the affirmative. Big Liars proved to be an interesting read that shed light on one of humanity’s less delightful tendencies.
After seeing an advance copy of this book provided by the publisher, American Psychological Association, via NetGalley, I purchased a copy of Big Liars. All opinions in this review are my own.
May 23, 2025
**Big Liars** is a remarkably informative exploration of the science, psychology, and cultural dynamics of deception. What sets this book apart is its interdisciplinary approach: it draws not only from cutting-edge psychological research but also from real-world examples and cultural analysis, making it both intellectually rigorous and highly relatable.
One of the most intriguing insights I gained was about who gets lied to the most—and why. The author presents compelling evidence that people who are perceived as morally upright or judgmental are, paradoxically, lied to more often. An example that stuck with me involved choosing between telling the truth to a neighbor with a criminal past versus a self-righteous preacher. The book suggests that most people would feel more comfortable being honest with the former, a finding that challenges our assumptions about trust and honesty in social relationships.
On a personal level, I appreciated the nuanced perspective that not all lies are harmful; in fact, the book argues that lies can be the social glue that holds communities, families, and even businesses together. Lies, in moderation, can help maintain harmony, protect feelings, and smooth over social friction. Of course, the book doesn’t shy away from the darker side of deception. It delves into the psychology of pathological and compulsive liars, examines the criminal implications of lying, and discusses the societal consequences when deception runs rampant—especially in the arenas of politics and public life.
Recent political events, including those involving Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, are analyzed in depth, illustrating how large-scale deception can shape public opinion and influence world events. The book also offers practical advice: how to spot lies, when it might be wise or unwise to tell a lie, and strategies for protecting yourself from chronic deceivers—or “big liars,” as the author calls them.
Overall, I found Big Liars to be far more engaging and comprehensive than I expected. The book covers an impressive range of topics, from everyday white lies to the grand deceptions that shape history and politics. While the opening chapters may feel a bit repetitive—particularly when discussing the basics of statistical analysis—don’t let that deter you. The payoff is a thought-provoking, well-researched, and surprisingly entertaining read that will change the way you think about honesty and deception in everyday life.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in the complex role that lies play in shaping our world.
One of the most intriguing insights I gained was about who gets lied to the most—and why. The author presents compelling evidence that people who are perceived as morally upright or judgmental are, paradoxically, lied to more often. An example that stuck with me involved choosing between telling the truth to a neighbor with a criminal past versus a self-righteous preacher. The book suggests that most people would feel more comfortable being honest with the former, a finding that challenges our assumptions about trust and honesty in social relationships.
On a personal level, I appreciated the nuanced perspective that not all lies are harmful; in fact, the book argues that lies can be the social glue that holds communities, families, and even businesses together. Lies, in moderation, can help maintain harmony, protect feelings, and smooth over social friction. Of course, the book doesn’t shy away from the darker side of deception. It delves into the psychology of pathological and compulsive liars, examines the criminal implications of lying, and discusses the societal consequences when deception runs rampant—especially in the arenas of politics and public life.
Recent political events, including those involving Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, are analyzed in depth, illustrating how large-scale deception can shape public opinion and influence world events. The book also offers practical advice: how to spot lies, when it might be wise or unwise to tell a lie, and strategies for protecting yourself from chronic deceivers—or “big liars,” as the author calls them.
Overall, I found Big Liars to be far more engaging and comprehensive than I expected. The book covers an impressive range of topics, from everyday white lies to the grand deceptions that shape history and politics. While the opening chapters may feel a bit repetitive—particularly when discussing the basics of statistical analysis—don’t let that deter you. The payoff is a thought-provoking, well-researched, and surprisingly entertaining read that will change the way you think about honesty and deception in everyday life.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in the complex role that lies play in shaping our world.
September 2, 2023
3.5 stars until I read the full book
In this short (17 pg) excerpt from #NetGalley, a reader can identify big liars in their life. It could be someone who raised you, a partner or someone who supposedly leads you at work. It seems according to the data shared that most people lie daily.
This chapter (I was expecting a 300 pg book) offered many examples of how and why people lie. I would appreciate the chance to read the entire book, especially if given in paper copy, because I feel I would be covering it in stickie notes!
For anyone who takes to lying easily, or especially those of us who have been the recipient of the behaviour of big liars, a deeper look at the psychology of this personality is worth more study.
I am interested to know if lying started early in these people’s childhood, if they bore any consequence for their ‘stories’ and if they at some point can reconcile and stop this type of choice in their interactions.
For more thoughts on Big Liars, thank you for reading my blog https://morethanlettersonalinetoday.b...
In this short (17 pg) excerpt from #NetGalley, a reader can identify big liars in their life. It could be someone who raised you, a partner or someone who supposedly leads you at work. It seems according to the data shared that most people lie daily.
This chapter (I was expecting a 300 pg book) offered many examples of how and why people lie. I would appreciate the chance to read the entire book, especially if given in paper copy, because I feel I would be covering it in stickie notes!
For anyone who takes to lying easily, or especially those of us who have been the recipient of the behaviour of big liars, a deeper look at the psychology of this personality is worth more study.
I am interested to know if lying started early in these people’s childhood, if they bore any consequence for their ‘stories’ and if they at some point can reconcile and stop this type of choice in their interactions.
For more thoughts on Big Liars, thank you for reading my blog https://morethanlettersonalinetoday.b...
January 2, 2024
Received from the publisher as a part of a Goodreads Giveaway.
I think that this just wasn’t really for me, this isn’t the kind of research that I normally read but the premise seemed interesting. I really liked the writing as it is super accessible for a general population to understand the research and connect it to real life scenarios. To me though, a lot of the research findings regarding why people lie and the development of lying I could’ve guessed so my interest wasn’t being held throughout since nothing was surprising.
I think that this just wasn’t really for me, this isn’t the kind of research that I normally read but the premise seemed interesting. I really liked the writing as it is super accessible for a general population to understand the research and connect it to real life scenarios. To me though, a lot of the research findings regarding why people lie and the development of lying I could’ve guessed so my interest wasn’t being held throughout since nothing was surprising.
May 8, 2024
Well structured, informative and with minimal fluff!
It's like the book version of a good science video. Terms are clearly defined, it's open about many limitations (like the need to rely heavily on self-reporting), sources are listed and there are frequent sprinkles of light humour & stories to keep it from being a monotonous statistic spreadsheet.
It also starts a chapter with the words of a wise man: "It takes two to lie, one to lie and one to listen." ~ Homer Simpson
It's like the book version of a good science video. Terms are clearly defined, it's open about many limitations (like the need to rely heavily on self-reporting), sources are listed and there are frequent sprinkles of light humour & stories to keep it from being a monotonous statistic spreadsheet.
It also starts a chapter with the words of a wise man: "It takes two to lie, one to lie and one to listen." ~ Homer Simpson
September 6, 2023
Very interesting book. I think everyone probably tells white lies sometimes, but some people tell lies that can hurt someone or ruin their lives. I have a very good memory so when someone in my family tells one story about something and then changes it I catch them in a lie right away. It can be very hurtful. Highly recommend.
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August 21, 2023The book I received from NetGalley was the first chapter. Therefore, I will be reviewing only the first chapter of this book.
The concept is interesting, and I think this book has potential, but the first chapter had a lot of numbers, a lot of statistics, and was a little bit repetitive.
The concept is interesting, and I think this book has potential, but the first chapter had a lot of numbers, a lot of statistics, and was a little bit repetitive.
June 15, 2024
This quickly became one of my favorite books on the topic. They provide accessible summaries of previous scholarship on the topic of big liars and how to avoid being duped by them.
It has a bibliography and index.
It has a bibliography and index.
September 5, 2024
Not as fun as you might think, and quite obvious. Essentially, it boils down to: most people are honest; a few people lie a lot. They have a lot of studies to point that out. Kind of a "water is wet" book.
July 10, 2023
Sometimes it just takes the title to hook me.
A fascinating subject. We all lie, it's just that some people's lies can be more damaging and hurtful than others.
#BigLiars #NetGalley.
Expected Publication Date 22/08/23
Goodreads Review 06/07/23
"I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by the publisher, American Psychological Association, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A fascinating subject. We all lie, it's just that some people's lies can be more damaging and hurtful than others.
#BigLiars #NetGalley.
Expected Publication Date 22/08/23
Goodreads Review 06/07/23
"I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book provided by the publisher, American Psychological Association, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews