Lying children

[xoxoxoBruce]

Lying children will grow up to be successful citizens.
Researchers have found that the ability to tell fibs at the age of two is a sign of a fast developing brain and means they are more likely to have successful lives. They found that the more plausible the lie, the more quick witted they will be in later years and the better their abiliy to think on their feet.

It also means that they have developed "executive function" - the ability to invent a convincing lie by keeping the truth at the back of their mind.

“Parents should not be alarmed if their child tells a fib,” said Dr Kang Lee, director of the Institute of Child Study at Toronto Universit who carried out the research. “Almost all children lie. Those who have better cognitive development lie better because they can cover up their tracks. They may make bankers in later life.”

Lying involves multiple brain processes, such as integrating sources of information and manipulating the data to their advantage. It is linked to the development of brain regions that allow “executive functioning” and use higher order thinking and reasoning.

link

[spudcon]

Those who have arrested development don't become successful businessmen, they continue lying and become politicians.

[Shawnee123]

“Parents should not be alarmed if their child tells a fib,” said Dr Kang Lee, director of the Institute of Child Study at Toronto Universit who carried out the research. “Almost all children lie. Those who have better cognitive development lie better because they can cover up their tracks. They may make bankers in later life.”

Heh, I don't see this is as a desirable trait.

I'd rather have an honest ditch-digger.

What do I know? I don't have kids. My cats lie like...um, dogs.

[Clodfobble]

It's not so much the propensity to lie, as the skill at it. People who can lie well are excellent leaders and diplomats, because they know how to say the right thing at the right time. They are able to read a person and recognize what angle will most likely convince them at that particular moment. The guy who says, "Yes, honey, that dress does make you look quite fat" is not going to have a lot of friends.

[Shawnee123]

Tact is another animal altogether. Though a liar might say "that dress makes you look like a supermodel" a tactful person (a diplomat, if you will) might say "it's a beautiful color on your skin."

Sure, there are all kinds and levels of lies. Kids test those waters.

Having said all that, the article states:

As adulthood approaches, young people learn instead to use the less harmful “white lies” that everyone tells to avoid hurting people’s feelings.

Researchers say there is no link between telling fibs in childhood and any tendency to cheat in exams or to become a fraudster later in life.

and

Dr Lee said that catching your children lying was not a bad thing but should be exploited as a " "teachable moment".

“You shouldn’t smack or scream at your child but you should talk about the importance of honesty and the negativity of lying," he told the Sunday Times.

So the article is really saying that more intelligent children are likely to be more successful in life. Well...duh!

[Flint]

Hey, can you read the newspaper and make fun of everything so I don't have to read it? kthxbai

[Shawnee123]

Sure. What's it pay?

[Flint]

Dong.

[Shawnee123]

So, a dime a dozen?

(checks consulting schedule) Ahhh, booked up for months. Sorry.

[squirell nutkin]

They're not sexually active; they just lie there like their mother.


I used all the theres

[monster]

And now you're gonna need to use your "get out of jail free" card

[squirell nutkin]

get out of hell is more like it.

[SteveDallas]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

It also means that they have developed "executive function" - the ability to invent a convincing lie by keeping the truth at the back of their mind.

I thought "executive function" was the ability lie the same way fucking useless asshole high-level corporate managers do.

[Aliantha]

I think in this article, it depends on what your social understanding of the word 'successful' is. If you're a great liar, maybe you'll be financially successful because you can pull the wool over people's eyes, but people always get caught out. I suppose if you don't get caught, I suppose the only person you have to worry about is yourself and how you think your honour is working out for you.

To me, this article is nothing more than a rationalization for todays views on success and it's relationship to financial rather than social situations, so while the article may be true, is it really right?