The Origins of Lying and Deception in Everyday Life

摘要

Those of us living in the United States seem particularly concerned about lying and deception. Consider our myth about our founding father and general of our Continental Army, George Washington. What most of us know best about Washington as a child-in fact, the only thing we know-is that when asked by his father, "Did you chop down the cherry tree?" he is reported to have told the truth. Whether the story is accurate or not (it was likely made up by biographer Parson Weems), the fact that children are taught the first president of our nation never lied speaks to the importance of the issue for American parents.