Why People Lie

Lying is a complex behaviour driven by various motivations. Some lie for self-preservation, others to manipulate situations, and some for self-enhancement. Even when the likelihood of being caught is high, individuals may still lie due to overconfidence, a desire for immediate gratification, or because of cognitive dissonance that allows them to justify their actions.

Politicians, for example, may lie because the immediate rewards—political gain, power, or influence—outweigh the potential long-term consequences. They may also operate within environments where lying is normalized or where they believe their supporters will overlook their dishonesty. Understanding the psychology of lying provides valuable insights into human behaviour, particularly in high-stakes environments.

The Focus on Negativity

We then explored why humans often focus on negativity, a tendency rooted in what psychologists call "negativity bias." Evolutionarily, this bias helped early humans survive by paying closer attention to threats. However, in modern times, it often manifests in unproductive ways, such as the media's focus on negative news or using negative tactics in politics.

Negativity is taxing in various ways. It increases stress, adds to cognitive load, and can lead to emotional depletion. This has broader implications, not just for mental health but also for creativity and problem-solving. By understanding this bias, we can work to counterbalance it by focusing on positivity and reframing negative experiences.

Using AI to Address Negativity Bias

The discussion then moved to a practical application: leveraging AI, particularly tools like ChatGPT, to help individuals recognise and address negativity bias in their thinking. By teaching clients—or even yourself—how to frame questions to AI, you can guide the AI to ask more insightful, coach-like questions that encourage reflection and reframe negative thoughts.

For instance, instead of simply stating a problem, framing it as a question that invites reflection can yield more constructive responses. For example, if someone feels their website has failed to attract customers, rather than focusing on the failure, they might ask, "How can I learn from this experience and improve?" This approach not only shifts the perspective but also empowers the individual to see challenges as opportunities for growth.

Real-World Applications

In real-world applications, this approach can be particularly useful for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and anyone facing challenges in their personal or professional lives. By using AI as a non-human sounding board, individuals can gain valuable insights into their behaviour, reframe failures as learning experiences, and cultivate a more positive mindset.

The conversation also touched on the technical side—how to extract and analyze text-based interactions to identify negative language patterns. While transcription services are one option, simpler methods include using prompts and written reflections that can be analyzed over time. This method allows for continuous, structured self-reflection.

Conclusion

The breadth and depth of our conversation highlight the multifaceted nature of human behaviour and how technology can be harnessed to enhance self-awareness and personal growth. By understanding the underlying psychology of lying and negativity and leveraging AI tools, individuals can develop a more positive, resilient mindset that views challenges not as failures but as opportunities for learning and growth.