18_4_23_EDU_mj

"In Spain we are quite precocious in lying, since we begin to practice it from the age of two and a half years," said psychologist María Jesús Álava Reyes during a lecture on "The power of lying" organized by the School of Education and Psychology of the University of Navarra.

"However, more than 50% of lies go undiscovered" and, moreover, "most of the time the problem is that we lie and there are no consequences," he said. "Lying is always at the root of suffering," he said.

According to this expert, lies are told in all areas and at all levels. Regarding politics, she said that in "this country almost nothing is asked to dedicate oneself to it, and then politicians are trained to reach the emotions". "It is easy to manipulate in these circumstances," he concluded.

As for the difference between men and women, Álava Reyes said that both men and women lie equally, but women generally tolerate lying less, "especially in some spheres, such as in the field of affectivity".

The liar's profile and how to detect it

"A liar is detected by contradiction, but this requires follow-up," said the psychologist, who added that there are different types of liars with different traits and motivations: "There are times when lying is used for revenge, and this is very dangerous. And she pointed out that "introverts lie more than extroverts; and they do it to hide; they do not like to show themselves, theirs are very elaborate lies".

The specialist in executive coaching and human resources spoke of a "dark triad", which would be composed of narcissistic people; people with high levels of psychopathy, who are those who have no empathy and enjoy evil and who tolerate everything they do and justify it to themselves; and finally, Machiavellian people, who "usually choose the most naive and generous people as victims". "These three profiles that make up the triad have a common trait, and that is that all three are very skilled at manipulating."

At this point, the speaker wanted to make reference letter to harassment situations in which "the harasser of entrance is sample charming, but when he feels he has the status under control and the 'victim' hooked affectively, is when the real me comes out," she said, and made reference letter to young people: "We find girls of 13 and 14 years totally controlled, suffocated, who find it difficult to react, because they are not able to act from reason, but from the affective". In her opinion, "what we have to achieve is to empower the victims, to give them the ability to become free people again", and for this we have to enhance their qualities, their self-esteem and show them the security they do not have.

This meeting, organized by the School of Education and Psychology of the University of Navarra, counted with the partnership with Career ServicesFoundation business University of Navarra, and the Confederación de Empresarios de Navarrawhich hosted the lecture.