Honesty may end up being the best “economic” policy…

We’ve all been there, right? We have all uttered that little white lie to get out of an uncomfortable situation, never thinking it would cost us that much.
 

Well, think again…
 

According to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research, individuals who tell those little white lies to avoid confrontation might find themselves actually rewarding the people who inconvenienced them.
 

“Most consumers have told an inquiring server that their cold meal is fine, a hairdresser that they like their unexpected ‘new look,’ or a friend that his/her too-snug jeans look great,” write authors Jennifer J. Argo (University of Alberta) and Baba Shiv (Stanford University). But according to the researchers, white lies have negative repercussions for the people who tell them.
 

“Lying” Studies

In one study, researchers studied people who had been made to wait for an unpleasant amount of time. The participants then lied about how they were doing by saying they were fine. Amazingly, when they were reminded that they should be honest, these individuals evaluated their wait experiences more favorably than people who didn’t lie. Furthermore, they were more likelyto help the people who delayed them.
 

In other studies, researchers demonstrated that this favorable reaction toward the “wrongdoer” occurred because people who are reminded that they should be honest and yet tell a lie experience “negative affect” (emotion).
 

A Behavioral Conundrum

“One way to reduce this negative affect is to misconstrue the experience by responding favorably toward the person who created the negative experience,” the authors explain. “Indeed, the effects only arise when consumers feel certain about the negative affect they are experiencing and they are certain about the cause of the negative affect (i.e., the white lie).”

It is important for individuals to realize that the negative feelings that arise after telling a white lie can have financial consequences. The authors found that people who told white lies were willing to spend more money for services or tips.

So watch those little white lies. Because given the way our minds work, they can end up being very costly.

Related Story: Telling Lies Is Bad For Your Overall Health

October 29, 2011
The Healthy Mind Network

Story Source:
The above story contains original content and information that is editorially adapted by The Healthy Mind staff from materials provided by University of Chicago Press Journals and EurekAlerts!

Image Credit: comedynose