The Thrill of Deception

When a person lies, they almost always experience the emotion of fear, since if their lie is discovered, there will likely be negative consequences—ranging from public condemnation to more serious sanctions, depending on the severity of the act. That’s why, in lie detection, recognizing the emotion of fear is very important. However, lying can also trigger positive emotions. Lying can be seen as an achievement, which in itself is always pleasant. The liar may feel joyful excitement either from the challenge or directly during the act of deception, especially when success is not yet guaranteed. If the deception succeeds, the person may feel relief, pride in their accomplishment, or even contempt for the person they managed to deceive—this is the thrill of deception. It can be very difficult to suppress this feeling, and its appearance can betray the lie.

The thrill of deception can vary in intensity. It may be completely absent, weaker than the emotion of fear, or so strong that it manifests in certain signs. People may even confess to lying because they want to share their excitement with others. There are known cases where criminals tell their friends, strangers, or even the police about their crimes, hoping for recognition and praise for their skills in deceiving others.

Lying can bring pleasure when there is a certain level of risk involved. The thrill of deception can also arise for other reasons. For example, if there is a need to deceive someone who has a reputation for being hard to fool, such as a verifier. The presence of an audience—people who can witness the deceiver’s triumph—also greatly contributes to the thrill. However, a large audience can sometimes hinder the liar, as the enjoyment of deceiving in public can cause such excitement that it becomes impossible to hide.

When lying, a person may experience the thrill of deception, pangs of conscience, and fear of being exposed—either all at once or in turn. If you’ve ever played poker, you might recall that when you bluff, you may feel the fear of being caught, especially if the stakes are high. But if you realize your bluff is working and your opponents fold, you’re likely to feel the thrill of deception. However, if you were actually cheating during the game, you might also feel guilty.

Summary: When Does the Thrill of Deception Occur?

• The victim of the deception has a reputation for being hard to fool.
• The lie itself is a challenge.
• There is an audience that can appreciate the liar’s skills.

The thrill of deception is expressed as a combination of joy and contempt—the so-called “liar’s smile.” Joy comes from the feeling that the lie is working, that everything is going according to plan! Contempt arises from a sense of superiority over the person who was deceived.