Lying, a complex and multifaceted behavior, has been the subject of study in several areas of knowledge, including psychology and neuroscience. In children, lying can be motivated by different factors, from fear of punishment to the search for reward and social recognition. According to Abreu Rodrigues (2022), lying, as a defense mechanism, is an achievement in individual development, as it presupposes the existence of a world inaccessible to others. However, excessive lying can lead to the development of mythomania, a psychological disorder characterized by the compulsion to lie.
Neuroscience has contributed to the understanding of the brain mechanisms involved in lying. Neuroimaging studies point to a change in the white matter of the prefrontal region in mythomaniac individuals, suggesting a possible relationship between brain structure and lying behavior (Abreu Rodrigues, 2022). Furthermore, the dysfunction of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, may be associated with the search for reward and pleasure in lying, perpetuating the cycle of mythomania.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been shown to be effective in treating mythomania, helping the individual to regulate their neurotransmitters and develop skills to deal with anxiety, depression and other disorders associated with compulsive lying (Abreu Rodrigues, 2022). In short, children’s lying, although it can be considered normal behavior in certain circumstances, requires attention and intervention when it becomes compulsive and interferes with the child’s healthy development. Understanding the psychological and neuroscientific aspects of lying is essential for developing effective strategies for preventing and treating mythomania.
Reference :
Abreu Rodrigues, F. (2022). Mythomaniac: how to deal with children who lie all the time. Brazilian Journal of Development, 8(1), 2249-2258.
