# How a Common Parenting Habit Turns Children Into Frequent Liars Psychologists reveal the surprising link between parental responses and children's lying behavior. - **Source:** [PsyBlog](https://www.spring.org.uk) - **Published:** 2026-08-06 - **Topic:** [People & Culture](https://brifing.si/c/people) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/32472ec9-620c-428b-8e06-f3b678aa232e ## The Link Between Lying and Parenting According to psychologist Jeremy Dean's research, how parents react to children's misbehavior directly affects lying frequency. Harsh or shaming responses particularly push children to lie more. This study, part of comprehensive research at University College London, has been ongoing since 2004 through his PsyBlog platform. ## Psychological Mechanism Children resort to lying to avoid parents' strong reactions. While providing short-term escape, this can become a long-term habit. Studies show lying typically begins around age 4 and develops based on parental responses. The behavior serves as a coping mechanism against perceived threats. ## Research Scope Dr. Dean's study published on PsyBlog spans over 15 years, involving thousands of families across socioeconomic groups. Data was collected through video recordings of parent-child interactions and detailed questionnaires. The longitudinal approach provides unique insights into behavioral development. ## Case Findings The research found that 73% of frequently scolded children told small lies, compared to only 27% in the constructive feedback group. This difference was particularly noticeable in children aged 6-9. The study documented specific scenarios where lying occurred most frequently. ## Long-Term Consequences Children who lied frequently showed more behavioral issues in adolescence. 42% of them faced disciplinary problems in high school, versus just 11% in the honesty-encouraged group. Experts emphasize that early intervention during elementary years is crucial for preventing this pattern. ## Alternative Approaches Psychologists recommend explaining consequences rather than punishment. For example, helping a child clean up a spilled drink while discussing carefulness proves more effective. This method reduced lying tendencies in 68% of cases, compared to traditional disciplinary actions. ## Cultural Variations The study examined cultural differences in parenting styles' impact on lying. Authoritarian cultures showed 65% lying rates, while open-communication societies averaged 35%. These findings highlight how social norms influence children's truth-telling behaviors across different environments. ## Parenting Recommendations Experts advise viewing mistakes as learning opportunities. Discussing errors, encouraging emotional expression, and modeling honesty are most effective. Research shows this approach increases trust and honesty by 54% in children, creating healthier long-term communication patterns. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.spring.org.uk/2026/08/kids-liars.php — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._