The deception triangle

The deception triangle explains how deception occurs when three elements come together: the liar, the lie itself, and the target. The liar intentionally provides false information, the lie is the false statement being communicated, and the target believes or accepts the lie. For deception to happen, the liar must knowingly deceive, and the target must be misled. Understanding this triangle helps identify how deception works and where to focus efforts to detect or prevent it, such as verifying sources, questioning suspicious information, and being aware of intent.