Advanced Plus Achievement test 2 audio script

Achievement test 2. Listening exercises 2 and 3

Recording 4

Honesty, we are often told, is the best policy. Motivated by a desire to keep
everyone happy we ought to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the
truth. But is that actually worthwhile? In an age where mendacity seems to be
the order of the day – from celebrities who misguide about weight loss to
sportsmen and women who bend the rules, not to mention those governing us –
is honesty perhaps not overrated? It’s time, perhaps, that we think a bit more
about the nature of honesty and lying – and as a society decide just how truthful
we should be.

Current research speculates that as a behaviour, lying arose not long after the
emergence of language. Akin to evolutionary deceptive strategies such as
camouflage, lying conferred an advantage in the competition for resources. Lies
can be used to manipulate individuals, and being skilled at this is much easier
than using physical force to persuade or get your own way with others.

Both psychological and neurobiological research into the nature of lies indicates
that these fall into distinct categories: lies to promote ourselves, lies to protect
ourselves, lies to impact others, and a final area where the motives may be
unclear even to ourselves.

Lying for self-promotion accounts for the majority of lies told – these are often
for economic or personal advantage, and help us to create a positive image in
the eyes of others. But interestingly, as we tell these lies we feel positive in
ourselves. Researchers at Harvard University have used brain scans to show that
when people act dishonestly for self-gain, a part of the brain associated with
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 Advanced Plus Achievement test 2 audio script

reward fires. As it does so, a sense of greed is engendered, which seems to

increase our likelihood of lying further.

Similar research at UCL (University College London) showed that we also

quickly become conditioned to lying. When we lie there is brain activity in the
amygdala – where the brain processes emotion. If a person continues to lie, the
activity decreases, even if the lies get bigger. This provides an interesting
insight into the way deceptive behaviour grows.

Just over a third of the lies we tell are to protect ourselves – either to cover up
mistakes or to avoid doing something that we don’t want to do. Such lies
require a considerable amount of mental effort and a sharp mind, but assuming
they work, the energy spent on their fabrication is deemed worthwhile.

When it comes to lies which impact on others research findings are intriguing.
Studies suggest a mere 4% of the lies we tell are malicious. In fact, these
harmful lies are outweighed by lies which uphold social roles or are done for
altruistic purposes – for example you may tell someone they look great, or that
meal was delicious when it could be nothing further from the truth.

Research also consistently shows that we are prone to accepting lies which
affirm our worldview – if we read or hear a lie that mirrors our existing beliefs
or prejudices, we can be persuaded not to investigate it further. Given the
proliferation of fake news on social media there is a danger that lies will be
spread and sanctioned. The lesson we can learn from this is to think critically,
question preconceptions, ask yourself – are you honestly sure that’s true?

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