The Cost Of Lie Is Low

By Author: anita zhu
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From the perspective of behavioral science and economics, the cost of truth is high, so it is more precious; the cost of lie is low, so it is easier to be popular. Is that right?

Please look at the analysis -

Any act of people needs to pay “costs”. Language, as a unique behavior of humans, also needs to pay the cost.

In real life, “telling the truth” is a behavior with high cost, while “telling lies” is a behavior with low cost.

If we analyze the economics principles of “less investment of resources to gain larger benefits”, we can find that in the case of the same result, “telling lies” must have lower cost than “telling the truth”.

First of all,

The speaking cost of “telling the truth” is high;
The speaking cost of “telling lies” is low.

In order to “tell the truth”, the person who speaks should understand the situation, gather information, analyze the situation, raise coherent proposals, have a sense of propriety... until you have selected the appropriate time and appropriate occasion to express your views. It can be seen that the whole ...
... process of telling the truth needs to cost a lot of time, energy, ideas, and other personal resources.

In contrast, “telling lies” is relatively simple. It is totally random and can move on to the mouth. You do not trouble to make research and analysis, and as long as you can weigh one’s words and watch his expression, as well as be good at speculating the person you’re listening.

Second,

The transaction cost of “telling the truth” is high;
The transaction cost of “telling lies” is low.

That is to say, “telling the truth” may pay a relatively high cost of human relationship, and “telling lies” have a relatively low transaction cost and interpersonal risk.

As the “truth” is candid and frank, it is truth that often less harsh and easily lead to resentment of the listener; and due to “lie” is often flatter that match up others, then it is easy to get the listener's favor.

Therefore, the “truth” in interpersonal communication is more dangerous, and “lies” in the interpersonal relationship is less dangerous.

Finally,

The opportunity cost of telling the truth is high
The opportunity cost of telling lies is low.

Once people who “tell the truth” pay high interpersonal cost, the opportunity cost is definitely high—Peng Dehuai, Huang Kecheng, Zhang Wentian, although the older generation of revolutionaries has been vindicated after decades of gross injustice, the personal costs and time cost are extremely heavy.

Tory admired others who can play games so well and win many people’s praise. So he went to ask how to make so many WOW leveling or rift plat in the game.