Be honest: little white lies are more harmful than you think (Psyche)

In this insightful article, psychologists Elena Svetieva and Leanne ten Brinke challenge the notion that « little white lies » are harmless social lubricants. They argue that even well-intentioned deceptions can backfire. Each lie we tell subtly erodes trust, leading to what researchers call « deceiver’s distrust »: once we lie, we begin to suspect that others are lying too.

The authors highlight studies showing that choosing openness—even in the face of discomfort—can yield surprising benefits. One experiment asked participants to be fully honest for three days, and many found their relationships became deeper and more authentic than they expected. In contrast, keeping secrets and telling small lies tends to isolate us emotionally, fostering disconnection rather than harmony.

Their conclusion? Strive for transparency where possible—because honesty, imperfect as it may be, lays the foundation for genuine connection.

Read the full article to uncover why “harmless” fibs may be causing more harm than you think.