Researchers placed 65 boys and girls individually in quiet rooms and instructed them to close their eyes without peeking at toys. Video recordings revealed that 80% of the children did peek. When asked if they had looked, one-quarter of the two-year-olds claimed they hadn't. In contrast, the three-year-olds appeared much more mature, with 90% insisting they hadn't looked—absolutely not.Regrettably, while many children lied, few did so convincingly. When asked what toys were in the room, 76% of the little liars blurted out the truth, immediately exposing their deception.
The emergence of lying in children signifies further development in their cognitive abilities. This skill requires children to consciously conceal the truth in their minds while remembering and providing the answer others expect. Children who master this skill have developed cognitive abilities such as inhibitory control and working memory.
Lying to obtain desired outcomes may be innate to humans. Once equipped with the necessary cognitive functions, children learn and employ this skill. Many parents panic upon discovering their child has learned to lie. However, the appropriate response isn't scolding or interrogating them about who taught them to lie. Instead, teach children proper ways to lie—while also reminding them to strive for honesty.