Lying vs Deception
When we hear of lying and deception, we often tend to think that these two refer to the same, but in the English language, there is a difference between these two terms. Yet, it is true that lying and deception are two terms that are rather overlapping. Lying, on one hand, refers to telling someone something that is not accurate. In this sense, it is either verbal or written. Deception, on the other hand, is much broader. It usually refers to causing someone to believe something false as the truth. Deception can take many forms. Lying is just one manner through which an individual can be deceived. This is the difference between the two terms. This article attempts to clarify the difference between lying and deception.
What does Lying mean?
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, to lie is to make a deliberate false statement. This highlights that to lie is to tell someone about something as the truth when in reality it is false. Lying can be verbal or written. People can lie to others for so many reasons such as to protect themselves from punishments, to conceal things from others, to mislead others or even to save others from knowing a bitter reality. In any case, a lie is a something that is false. Lying can be considered as a way of deceiving someone by making them believe in something that is false. This makes lying just one way of deception.
What does Deception mean?
Deception can be defined in many ways. However, for this instance, let us turn to the Oxford English Dictionary for a definition on deception. There , deception or else the act of deceiving is defined as causing to believe something false. At a glance, this may appear quite similar to the definition of lying, but these two are not the same. Deception is making someone believe in somet hing that is false as the truth. This goes a step further from lying as it distorts the truth by verbal or non-verbal actions. Lying is also a form of deception through words, but it is not the only way. Deception can take many forms such as concealment, propaganda, distractions, etc. For example, physically concealing something from someone can also be a form of deception. Deception is not always intentional. Sometimes a person can be self-deceived due to the reception of wrong information such as in the case of rumours. This highlights that even though lying and deceiving go together they are not synonymous.
What is the difference between Lying and Deception?
• Lying is to make a deliberate false statement.
• Lying is usually verbal.
• People lie for many reasons such as to protect themselves from punishments, to conceal things from others, to mislead others or even to save others from knowing a bitter reality.
• Deception is causing to believe something false.
• Deception can both be intentional or else unintentional in which case the person becomes self-deceived.
• Deception can take many forms such as concealment, propaganda, distractions, etc.
• Lying is only one form of deception.
This comment is very good but leaves out one thing, a lie though not true is not always a deceptive. For example, if I tell you I am a pink elephant it is a lie. It is also obvious I am not a pink elephant so there is no deception. If I say I have done something a million times it is a lie, but it is also hyperbole (exaggeration for effect) and no one is deceived.