deception psychology

Deception psychology explores how and why people lie or mislead others. It examines the mental processes behind dishonesty, such as the motivation to gain advantage, avoid harm, or protect oneself. Factors influencing deception include stress, social context, and individual differences in morality and cognitive load. Understanding deception psychology helps in identifying signs of dishonesty, improving communication, and developing techniques for trust verification. Essentially, it studies the subtle cues and thought patterns involved when people intentionally or unintentionally distort the truth.