High Stake and Low Stake Lies
When most people talk about lies they break the lie down into two categories; low stake lies and high stake lies.
Low stake lies are simple lies and these are the lies that individuals get away with most often. The reason for this is the amount of strain these lies put on the liar. A perfect example of a low stake lie would be lying about a favorite color. No real repercussions will come from this lie. When a low stake lie is told, the speaker has nothing to truly lose or gain from the statement. Due to the lack of punishment or gain there is no real stress put on the individual so they are less likely to give away any nonverbal signs of lying. This does not mean, however, it does not happen. Low stake lies may also include a child lying about eating a cookie before dinner. They do not have much to gain or lose from eating the cookie, perhaps a scolding. With some children, however, the knowledge that they got away with their lie shows. Some giggle or smile and give themselves away.
High stake lies, on the other hand, are lies told that hold severe consequences for the liar. In these situations the liar stands to lose or gain in a physical, emotional, psychological, or even financial way. These high stakes lies are the ones usually though of during high profile trials. A perfect example of a high stake lie is a murderer denying his crime. This individual has everything to lose, mainly his freedom. The complexity of these lies hits a much different level than those in the low stakes category. These lies must be precise, believable, and easy to remember so that they will not be confused in the future. The pressure from these lies is more likely to 'leak' through an individual's nonverbal communication more than a low stake lie. There are many, however, who get away with these lies. These are successful liars who have taught themselves to be confident, to control their behavior, and in some cases that their lies are the truth.
Low stake lies are simple lies and these are the lies that individuals get away with most often. The reason for this is the amount of strain these lies put on the liar. A perfect example of a low stake lie would be lying about a favorite color. No real repercussions will come from this lie. When a low stake lie is told, the speaker has nothing to truly lose or gain from the statement. Due to the lack of punishment or gain there is no real stress put on the individual so they are less likely to give away any nonverbal signs of lying. This does not mean, however, it does not happen. Low stake lies may also include a child lying about eating a cookie before dinner. They do not have much to gain or lose from eating the cookie, perhaps a scolding. With some children, however, the knowledge that they got away with their lie shows. Some giggle or smile and give themselves away.
High stake lies, on the other hand, are lies told that hold severe consequences for the liar. In these situations the liar stands to lose or gain in a physical, emotional, psychological, or even financial way. These high stakes lies are the ones usually though of during high profile trials. A perfect example of a high stake lie is a murderer denying his crime. This individual has everything to lose, mainly his freedom. The complexity of these lies hits a much different level than those in the low stakes category. These lies must be precise, believable, and easy to remember so that they will not be confused in the future. The pressure from these lies is more likely to 'leak' through an individual's nonverbal communication more than a low stake lie. There are many, however, who get away with these lies. These are successful liars who have taught themselves to be confident, to control their behavior, and in some cases that their lies are the truth.