If you've read my Julie O'Hara Mystery novels, you know that I'm a student of body language, especially when it comes to lying. Some people are extremely skilled liars, although they don't think of themselves that way, nor do their listeners. Here's why:
The first time we recount an event, it's close to what happened, viewed through our lens. If it's an emotional event, we may repeat it many times and every time we tell the story, we tend to embellish it. Each time, we aren't recalling the actual event, just the last version we shared of it. Many people do this to increase their importance, their role in the event. Others may be so traumatized or horrified by an event that they magnify it with each telling.
Some have fake memories they have recounted and embellished so many times, they come to think they are actually true. So they tell them with complete confidence, displaying no signs of lying. And thus, they are believed. News anchor Brian Williams falsely claimed to be under fire while in a helicopter. Hillary Clinton falsely claimed to be under sniper attack when landing at a small airport in Bosnia where she was actually greeted with flowers. Donald Trump, while witnessing the horror of people jumping from the flaming, collapsing Twin Towers on 9/11, simultaneously saw a local TV newscast that showed dozens of Arabs in New Jersey cheering on a rooftop. He was understandably outraged, imagined more in the streets... and the revelers grew to "hundreds." Years later, he falsely remembered "thousands" of them celebrating. These are perfect examples.
People who weren't there with the fibber are fooled. They've heard the story so many times, they accept it as truth. ONLY SOMEONE WHO WAS THERE CAN REFUTE IT. I know someone from my childhood who unconsciously does this. This person is so convinced that what they are recalling is true, that they will even tell ME the embellished account, even though I WAS THERE and know the story to be wholly false. I just smile :) and agree...
Lee
The first time we recount an event, it's close to what happened, viewed through our lens. If it's an emotional event, we may repeat it many times and every time we tell the story, we tend to embellish it. Each time, we aren't recalling the actual event, just the last version we shared of it. Many people do this to increase their importance, their role in the event. Others may be so traumatized or horrified by an event that they magnify it with each telling.
Some have fake memories they have recounted and embellished so many times, they come to think they are actually true. So they tell them with complete confidence, displaying no signs of lying. And thus, they are believed. News anchor Brian Williams falsely claimed to be under fire while in a helicopter. Hillary Clinton falsely claimed to be under sniper attack when landing at a small airport in Bosnia where she was actually greeted with flowers. Donald Trump, while witnessing the horror of people jumping from the flaming, collapsing Twin Towers on 9/11, simultaneously saw a local TV newscast that showed dozens of Arabs in New Jersey cheering on a rooftop. He was understandably outraged, imagined more in the streets... and the revelers grew to "hundreds." Years later, he falsely remembered "thousands" of them celebrating. These are perfect examples.
People who weren't there with the fibber are fooled. They've heard the story so many times, they accept it as truth. ONLY SOMEONE WHO WAS THERE CAN REFUTE IT. I know someone from my childhood who unconsciously does this. This person is so convinced that what they are recalling is true, that they will even tell ME the embellished account, even though I WAS THERE and know the story to be wholly false. I just smile :) and agree...
Lee
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