The (Honest) Truth About Dishonesty : How We Lie to Everyone - Especially Ourselves
by: Dan Ariely
An Imprint of Harper Collins Publishers
ISBN: 978-0-06-218359-0
Based on what I learned from this book, I should be upfront and honest before continuing. I first saw Dan Ariely in a Ted Talk. As a librarian, he piqued my interest and I managed to get my hands on his first book, "Predictably Irrational". I really enjoyed this first book. It kept me interested and, well, I'd like to say that I learned so much that I changed my behavior. Unfortunately, while I did learn a LOT, I haven't really changed my behavior much. However, I have started noticing things more and particularly in the behavior of others. So, when I saw that Dan would be speaking at my conference this past summer, I was excited to go hear him live. Most people might think it odd that I'd intentionally go listen to a person give, what basically amounts to a lecture, on purpose. I'm an academic librarian folks, a GOOD topic with a GOOD speaker is often well worth it to me.
His talk was mostly about cheating and why we cheat and he answered a lot of questions as well. A lot of this is drawn directly from his latest book, "The (Honest) Truth About Dishonesty". As a behavioral economist, Dan Ariely has made his career studying human behavior, decision making, why we do some of the things we do and most recently, why we cheat and lie. I find his ability to come up with innovative ways to test these things engaging. His writing style is easy to follow and understand so that I feel like I could carry on an intelligent discussion on this topic. However, based on his findings regarding self deception, I think I'll stick with writing about the book.
This latest work takes the reader on a bit of a ride. We learn about the Simple Model of Rational Crime or SMORC very early on because it will come up several times throughout. Basically put, this model describes how and why people behave by theorizing that their actions are solely based on a cost benefit analysis, or weighing the positives against the negatives. The ride the reader is taken on challenges that idea in very interesting ways. The opening statement of chapter one challenges our thinking, not only about how we are to think of others, but how we must think of ourselves as well. After all, the author starts off the book telling the reader that everyone cheats. If you don't really want to know much about this (you'd prefer to remain in the dark), then don't read this book. It is specifically written to challenge reader with every turn.
The opening statement that everyone cheats might seem like a turnoff, but I challenge those who think that to read through to the end and discover the final conclusion. It too, might surprise many. The author uses many twists and turns in proving we all cheat. For instance, the "fudge factor" or how far away from actual money do we have to get before we start stealing? At least, that was my interpretation of where this went.
I was particularly interested in the investigations into self deception and how we can so easily lie to ourselves in order to justify decisions that satisfy underlying desires we won't consciously admit. The author even describes incidences where he recognized himself going through various self deceiving exercises in order to get a particular outcome. Now, I've started to notice this particular behavior in others. In fact, I saw someone flip a coin over two options, get tails and then they said, best two out of three. I actually told them: "you know, according to this book I'm reading, you really just want the other option, so just pick it". They had to finish their coin exercise rather than listen to me because that is part of the self deception exercise Ariely describes, but they did eventually pick the other option.
The next piece I found interesting was the discussion regarding creativity and lying. This chapter was a bit disturbing, but also very enlightening, in an odd way. This part of the ride illustrates just why creative people are better at thinking outside the box, in my opinion.
Finally, what works at preventing the cheating and lying behaviors is entirely understandable. In fact, I'd say it is not really a surprise at all. The valuable part of this chapter is that we can learn how to mitigate negative behaviors if we can be creative about using what works. Yes, I know that's a bit cryptic, but the author states it much better anyway, so read the book :)
I admit that I've been a fan since I saw the Ted Talk mentioned above, so I am already predisposed to like the book. However, put that aside because the book presents research that is useful in a variety of settings, from corporate offices, universities, and charitable organizations all the way through the spectrum to government institutions. It is of particular usefulness to managers and leaders within organizations who want to better understand the behaviors they do and see done around them. It is concise and well organized and had me thinking things like: I've never done that or I've done that or, by the end, I'd like to think I wouldn't do that. It will make you think, particularly about yourself. Do you like a good ride?
