Psychology Today: 'Sarah Palin Lies and is a very special liar. Here’s why'

[Ichingcarpenter]

Sarah Palin’s Lies
Sarah Palin is a very special liar. Here’s why.
by Bella DePaulo PHD University of California

SNIP..........

I studied liars and their lies for decades. I found that the vast majority of liars do care about the truth in at least one fundamental way - they want to be able to assure themselves and others that there is something honest about what they are saying. They want to have some wisp of truth to hang onto.


What would you do if you hated a particular painting, only to have the artist who painted it approach you, point to it, and say, "That's one of my paintings. What do you think of it?" Along with my colleague and friend, Kathy Bell, I actually did research like this. (It is described in professional paper #4 in the book, The Lies We Tell and the Clues We Miss.) A completely truthful answer would have been, "I hate it." Unsurprisingly, that's not the answer our participants preferred. Instead, they tried in all sorts of ways to convey the impression that they liked the painting, while still including something that could be defended as truthful. For example, they might tell the artist that they liked the shape of the leaf in the plant in the background - without acknowledging that the shape of that one leaf was the ONLY thing they liked.

From my post as an outside observer, it seems to me that Sarah Palin doesn't care much about the truth. In that way, she is a very special liar. Instead, Palin seems to love the effect her disingenuous pronouncements have on her audiences and so she just runs with them. Her fans adore her claims about "death panels" and about Obama supposedly "palling around with terrorists" and all the rest. Look at how they roar with approval and fervor when she tosses that red, bloody moose meat to them - how can the mere (non) truth-value of what she is saying ever compete with that? Plus, the fact that her taunts drive her detractors over the edge - well, that just adds to the fun!

Sarah Palin seems to relish the reaction she gets to her claims and complaints. Among her core fan base, the theme that the mean media and the full-of-themselves campaign staffers were unfair to noble, authentic, small-town Sarah seems to be a winner. Whether it is really true is almost irrelevant.

SNIP.............

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/living-single/200911/sarah-palin-s-lies

[Why Syzygy]

1. k&r

One of my problems is my degree of honesty. I have too much for some sensibilities.

I actually believe that honesty is the kindest offering. Palin's lies are not in any regard "kind".

[enigmatic]

2. She's going to be part of a 3rd Party ticket for President in 2012

Mark my words. That's what the whole tea-bagging crap is heading to anyway, and she'll be out there front and centre as the face of their Party.

[Merchant Marine]

3. Be fun to see the Palinites lock horns with the Paulites

[Chemisse]

6. That would be perfect for her

She would not be one of the group running for the nomination, so she would be have to be in an intellectually challenging debate, but could snipe from the sidelines. She would be the 'rogue' candidate.

Of course she couldn't win, but that would only add to her victim pose, giving her years of stories to tell about how she was discriminated against, etc.

And best of all, it would be perfect for us, splitting the Republican vote and assuring Obama's reelection.

[rvablue]

22. +1! Excellent analysis!

I have been poo-pooing her getting anywhere near the GOP nomination as it's going to be a crowded field and she wouldn't be able to handle the debates with Pawlenty, Gingrich, Romney, Huckabee, Barbour, etc.

So, you've hit on something here. Run as a third party and just lob verbal jabs from afar without ever having to get in the ring with the campaign veterans. Very, very interesting and when and if she does it you'll get kudos again from me for calling this one.

[Chemisse]

26. Thanks! But save the kudos for Enigmatic

He brought it up and then I realized how well that would fit with Palin's MO.

[iceman66]

11. I sure hope so,

as that would ensure Obama's re-election!

[Blue_In_AK]

36. That's what I think, too.

As I've pointed out before, she has no loyalty to the Republican party. Her most vocal critics and enemies in Alaska were Republicans.

[Danascot]

46. Absolutely. The only question is who her running mate will be.

Glenn Beck? Carrie Prejean? Sean Hannity? Rush?

What fun! Everyone loves a circus plus she'll siphon votes from the GOP.

[Techn0Girl]

53. God I hope so!

I'm even thinking of starting a Democrats for Palin website!
Extra props if we can get Beck to be her running mate.

Now, more than ever, the Democratic Party needs Sarah Palin. Personally, if she is on the Primary I think all of us should switch over to Repub for the Primary and make darn sure she's on the ticket.

[ClayZ]

4. People of the Lie by M Scott Peck

Sarah Palin is one of those people.

[JNelson6563]

14. Yes, exactly.

They leave a wake of chaos and destruction, just as Dr. Peck says.

Julie

[saltpoint]

5. She's the average made lethal --

-- to steal Peter Shaffer's terrific line.

[Touchdown]

7. Those lies aren't just special, they're contagious. Look at the first response to her post.

"Anyways, I want to know. What kind of liars are the Clinton's and Obama?

My guesses, though I am not as educated on the matter as you are, follows, and please correct me: 1) The Clinton's are pathological liars who know their endgame and will say or do anything, no matter the consequences, to get there. They are cold, calculating and manipulative, stooping to word twisting to get their way.

Obama is still a mystery to me, as well as most people, I think. We don't know anything about him yet other than he has a really nice (disingenuous) smile and he can read very well. Either Barack is just like the Clinton's, only better (Bill got caught a few times. To be fair, Bill HAD a career before he was president), or he really is just a bumbling boob. I mean, it's possible. Look at the stimulus. Either he ~knew~ that the stimulus was going to fail, and lied to push it through, or he really didn't understand anything at all and pushed it through anyways. Either way, I'm scared.

"Unemployment will not go about 7.8%."

Same deal. (we're at 10.4% as of this comment). Either he knew what he was saying was completely wrong or he was... just... ignorant.

You are the expert, though, and I would like to hear your thoughts. Also, to actually complete your article, I would ~really~ like to know what she is lying about. You never said...

You mention death panels (which was never actually denied by the Dems, and was subsequently dropped from the bill, hmm...) and Obama's terrorist ties (William Heirs? They are friends and yes, he really was a terrorist...), two completely understandable mistakes considering you probably only pay attention to Big Media."

I can count at least 8 common pieces of bullshit in this screed. I have no doubt that this person truly believes them.

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Touchdown]

10. Sorry Kevin. I can't read German.

Can you elaborate on this Time Whale thing?

[katkat]

16. the Society for Defense of the Apostrophe would like a word with that individual n/t

[Cha]

51. "The Odd LIes of sarah palin" by Andrew Sullivan

<snip>

"After you have read these, ask yourself: what wouldn't Sarah Palin lie about if she felt she had to?

Palin lied when she said the dismissal of her public safety commissioner, Walt Monegan, had nothing to do with his refusal to fire state trooper Mike Wooten; in fact, the Branchflower Report concluded that she repeatedly abused her power when dealing with both men.

Palin lied when she repeatedly claimed to have said, "Thanks, but no thanks" to the Bridge to Nowhere; in fact, she openly campaigned for the federal project when running for governor.

Palin lied when she denied that Wasilla's police chief and librarian had been fired; in fact, both were given letters of termination the previous day.

Palin lied when she wrote in the NYT that a comprehensive review by Alaska wildlife officials showed that polar bears were not endangered; in fact, email correspondence between those scientists showed the opposite.

Palin lied when she claimed in her convention speech that an oil gas pipeline "began" under her guidance; in fact, the pipeline was years from breaking ground, if at all.

Palin lied when she told Charlie Gibson that she does not pass judgment on gay people; in fact, she opposes all rights between gay spouses and belongs to a church that promotes conversion therapy.

Palin lied when she denied having said that humans do not contribute to climate change; in fact, she had previously proclaimed that human activity was not to blame.

Palin lied when she claimed that Alaska produces 20 percent of the country's domestic energy supply; in fact, the actual figures, based on any interpretation of her words, are much, much lower.

Palin lied when she told voters she improvised her convention speech when her teleprompter stopped working properly; in fact, all reports showed that the machine had functioned perfectly and that her speech had closely followed the script.

Palin lied when she recalled asking her daughters to vote on whether she should accept the VP offer; in fact, her story contradicts details given by her husband, the McCain campaign, and even Palin herself. (She later added another version."

<more>
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/11/the-odd-lies-of-sarah-palin-a-roundup.html

[cali]

8. that study sounds rather stupid

there's a difference between lying for social purposes such as not hurting someone's feelings, and lying for gain. I don't think what she describes as lying about the painting is lying at all.

[Ichingcarpenter]

44. White Lies

vs Black Lies are still LIES

I kept my mouth shut on a lot of your treads
But I like you.

Now was that black or white? On your LIE scale?

[bettyellen]

47. you miss the point -the significant difference is that most people think twice and try to fudge

their bs and maybe give you the wrong impression (misdirecting + lies of omission) and this is incredibly common... it can be done for gain or to prevent hurting feelings, but the person at least tries not to be totally full of shit. but sarah is pathological, doesn't care if there's a grain of truth at all in it, that's the special part. the study shows she's a freak.

[blogslut]

12. As Al Franken would say in reference to Ann Coulter

"There's something wrong with her."

As pointed out in DePaulo's http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-11-18/palins-ego-trip/?cid=hp:blogunit1">referenced article, Palin lies when it's not necessary to lie. She lies about small details that become large problems because she's lied about them. Maybe she just enjoys the attention. Maybe she's suffering from a personality disorder but I honestly think she can't help herself.

[Lilicat]

42. whatever happened to Ann Coulter anyway?

Not that I miss her. Just curious. She still out there?

[rucky]

13. Sweet Jesus - check the comments. Even readers of PT are defending her.

:wtf:

[Echo In Light]

15. I understand the point, however, much of this 2 Min Hate process is inherent w/politics

... especially given a nearly complete, techno-message-media-saturated social climate of opinion where it easily thrives as an absolute. It's like a man-mad weather system, and brainwashed people, as is the entire point of cultural indoctrination, do not comprehend their own affliction.

"Politics is the shadow cast by big business over society." ~ John Dewey

[HipChick]

17. Palin doesn't lie..

her mind lives in an alternative universe, and they expect you to live there with them - lying is their only reality - my sister is like this, since childhood she just lies about everything - to the point today that she believes what she is lying about, and gets mad when people try to reality orientate her. She lies about stuff when she doesn't even have to. We lock heads on Palin all the time, I asked her the other day, if Palin was a minority, and was complaining about the way she was being treated, she would be accused of playing the race card - can you not see how she is playing the victim card? she screamed at me, can't debate, can't articulate any points about Palin - apart from flowers grow from underneath her feet..Lord knows I sure as hell didn't pick my family..

[Z_I_Peevey]

23. You're so right.

I too have dealt with these sorts of personality-disordered individuals in my family. They operate with a specific type of magical thinking that, to their minds, creates new realities almost moment to moment. If they speak a thing, it becomes reality.

Like emanations from the Creator, their Words alone are sufficient to create new worlds. And woe be unto anyone who doubts them.

[AnneD]

25. We have the same problem with my sis too.....

unfortunately her constant lies have done great harm to the family (damaging reputations, having to go to court) and gradually we have ceased contact with her. We have a much more tranquil family now.
I think she wanted us out of the picture so people wouldn't be able to check what she says. She is charming and attractive-much like Palin. It never ceases to amaze me how many folks fall for it...but then Bush got elected 2 times. One thing I can spot any more is a pathological liar...and honey, Palin falls into that category.

[tallahasseedem]

29. I have many family members...

who are exactly like that. It truly boggles the mind. Sad, really.

[warrior1]

18. I don't think

she thinks that deeply at all, she's just an idiot.

[blm]

19. Exact same thing with Rudy Giuliani. Recall the spectacle at 2004 GOP convention

when he attacked Kerry claiming Kerry voted for the war before he voted against it. Dick Cheney made the same attack. Crowd roared though it was completely UNTRUE. Media didn't care one whit and they fed into the distortion by claiming Kerry's position was too confusing.

Kerry's position was simple:

He voted yes to the resolution emphasizing weapon inspections.

When weapon inspectors were proving force was not needed, Kerry sided with them and spoke against Bush's decision to invade.

When the 87B funding bill came up he voted FOR funding only if it was paid for with rigorous accountability standards. That didn't pass as too many supported giving Bush the 87B the way he wanted it - without ANY accountability - the bill that Kerry voted AGAINST.

ALL lawmakers vote FOR or AGAINST a version of the bill. Media helped the GOP liars distort what occurred - no doubt DELIBERATELY as Dan Rather has admitted media execs NEEDED Bush to stay in office for the favorable rulings the owners expected in a Bush second term.

The GOP liars couldn't find success without serious newsmedia protection.

[glitch]

24. B/W thinking has to be a sign of neurosis

I haven't read about it but it just makes sense. To understand what Kerry did you would have to be able to understand (in this case a very simple) process over time -- b/w or binary thinkers are incapable of understanding even the most simple dynamic of your example A to B.

I think trying to understand a complex reality is so painful they just abandon the effort and go with creating their own. Like that old old joke:

Neurotics build castles in the sky
Psychotics move in
Psychiatrists charge rent.

(not so funny when psychotics are in charge of the political economy)

[karynnj]

27. Very insightful

It also explains why those of us who are the opposite and real that people will understand if things are explained logically - as BLM did there - the only question would be whether each of those simple statements are provable, where here they are, repeatedly feel like they are hitting a brick wall and don't get why this is complicated for some people.

[glitch]

34. When I realized all people with alleged "average intelligence" didn't process information

at least similarly it hit me like a lightning bolt. Now I don't keep hitting the brick walls, I just move around them. When they don't even hear logic there's not much else you can do.

If I were younger I'd go back to school and study the problem, I think it's fascinating.

[blm]

31. The thing is that EVERY lawmaker knows damn well what the process is and knew they were lying

every time they made that attack. They COUNTED ON their audience of GOP voters NOT KNOWING simple process. And their GOP audiences ARE too stupid to know they're being insulted by their leaders.

Sad that, eh?

[glitch]

32. They are masters at manipulating the neuroses of the fearful. Very tragic indeed. And evil. nt

[amborin]

54. it's called "splitting" and it's often a feature of a personality disorder (aka character disorder)

[ecstatic]

20. Interesting. In that way she differed a lot from McCain too

McCain didn't mind indirect lies swirling around.... but, when confronted with an obvious lie, he would oftentimes opt for the truth. Whereas anything goes with Sarah.

[mscuedawg]

21. How do you know Sarah Palin is lying???

Oh c'mon...you know this one...

Her mouth is moving!!!! :rofl:

[jpak]

28. Al Franken needs to write another book -lol

n/t

[CJCRANE]

30. Palin lies because she's a bully.

Bullies pick on others first by finding fault with them (e.g. "you're too short", "you're too fat" etc.) but after a while they simply just make stuff up to annoy you.

Despite all his faults McCain doesn't have a bully's personality, that's why Palin was a very bad pick for him.

[DU GrovelBot]

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[Nothing Without Hope]

35. An key, often-overlooked element of this: HER AUDIENCE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THE TRUTH

In fact, they PREFER comfortable, exciting lies. No laborious thinking or fact-checking required, just easy "our team vs. the demons" ranting. At its heart, it has always been one of the darkest corners of human nature, and hate-mongering demagogues like Palin and too many others know just how to tap into it. Through the ages, it's been used to generate wars, genocides, atrocities of all kinds. It's the basis of mob psychology.

THAT's what the psychologist should be looking at. Palin is nothing out of the ordinary. It's her SUPPORTING AUDIENCE'S readiness to seize upon convenient lies while ignoring all evidence to the contrary that is at the core of her success. How can we reach these people? They are the ones who want to do terrible things, including assassination. Most of us hear her with disgust and amazement at her blatant self-serving mendacity. Her target audience is getting just what they want to hear to make them feel empowered and superior. How can we break into their bubble with the truth?

[Ichingcarpenter]

38. Few people have the imagination for reality.

added Wally world because of the consumerism aspect


Especially after being spoon fed on Faux, Wal-Mart and religion.

Good Point.

[Blue_In_AK]

37. Since I'm trying not to start Palin threads,

I'll post this here.

http://www.themudflats.net/2009/11/20/meet-sarah-palins-death-panel/

Meet Sarah Palin's Death Panel

(L-R) John Bittney, Shannyn Moore, Anne Kilkenny, Andrew Halcro

Tonight I attended the taping of Moore Up North, and what an interesting evening it was. All I have to say is tune in on Saturday (KYES Channel 5 at 4pm) and buckle your seat belts. If your couch did not come with seat belts you have two days to get some, and install them.

One of the hazards in writing a bunch of untrue and mean things about people in a book is that those people will decide that maybe they don’t like it very much. And maybe when they have an opportunity to tell their stories, and say what they think of you, they will.

The panelists were part of the Under the Bus crowd that got slammed by Sarah Palin in her new book Going Rogue. Andrew Halcro “the effete young chap” who ran against her for governor in 2006 was there, and told us that “under the bus” is the new “on the bus.” Insightful and hilariously funny, Halcro fans will not be disappointed.

Anne Kilkenny, known in the book as “the Wasilla town crank” and a “Birkenstock-granola” type with a flower behind her ear was there too. Kilkenny was the author of the email about Sarah Palin that went viral in the first days after her nomination. Delightfully self-effacing, and with a great sense of humor, Ann showed up with a bag of granola, a flower behind her ear… and a crank.

And finally, the coup de grace from the Death Panel is John Bittney, long time close friend of Palin and a member of the inner circle until they had a falling out. Palin eviscerates him in the book and describes him as “not being able to keep food off his tie,” and addicted to Blackberry games. He talked about how Sarah Palin had potential and squandered it. This is someone who is coming from a place of a very personal sense of betrayal. He had a powerful moment when he said, “I have had enough. The rules of engagement have changed.” His commentary throughout the show is remarkable. You won’t want to miss it.

And of course, Shannyn Moore was wonderfully funny and guided the show with great skill, right down to the last segment which included questions on index cards from the audience. One of the questions – “Is Sarah Palin sane?” You’ll have to tune in for the answers from the panel.

**The full show and short clips will be available on YouTube. I will have them posted for you as soon as they become available. Send warm thoughts to the editing crew!**

This should be a GREAT show. I'm especially looking forward to John Bitney's comments. He's known SP since junior high and at one time was one of her trusted staffers. YouTube will be posted as soon as available.

[Ichingcarpenter]

39. I read your links and follow that blog

I think that Palin is a dangerous politician for America

She brought the fever pitch of insanity to her crowds
during the election and gave birth to the craziness that comes hopefully
will be from the last gasp of that side of republican party for some time
if the truth and logic are allowed.

, but its gonna take us to improve our education and news media in this country....... I think people are waking UP and finally asking questions
on their realties.

Thanks for post.

[Blue_In_AK]

40. I'm dying to hear what Bitney has to say,

and hope that Frank Bailey can get his book up and running, also, the one about being Palin's "hatchet man." His co-authors dropped out, which leads me to believe that some pressure must have been applied somewhere, but I'm sure he has the key to the closet where the skeletons are hid.

[Ichingcarpenter]

43. Giving her $5 million for her ghostly Arthur written book

tells you which holy grail she drinks out of.

She's Palin around with terrorists and creating some too.


I follow her positive blogs also to see where they are coming from and
to me its total ignorance and stupidity with a whiff of shooting a wolf
baby from a helicopter, lying and being a fabrication of some sick society.

The media is promoting her and she's a demagogue
and is not her own creation.


Follow the money as always

[gratuitous]

41. "Her taunts drive her detractors over the edge"

That may have been true in the beginning of her run at the vice presidency, but I don't think it's quite so true anymore. We've gotten used to Our Sarah's estranged companionship with reality, and we're not longer driven over the edge by her whoppers. It pleases her supporters, I'm sure, to think that we're highly exercised by Our Sarah's never-ending stream of nonsense. After all, at one of the tea party rallies, one of the Republican Representatives sought to lead the group in the Pledge of Allegiance on the ground that it drives liberals wild to hear it recited. Instead, we were just amused when he fucked it up.

These chowderheads like to imagine that they're driving sensible people as crazy as they are, but the truth is that we mostly just find them to be a nuisance, and one that we're getting more inured to the longer they hang around. They have no choice but to get loonier and loonier.

[JDPriestly]

45. Sarah Palin feels that she is God's missionary to the world.

She lies because she thinks that her lies serve a greater purpose.

Of course, Sarah Palin does not perceive her lies as lies. She doesn't know what it feels like to really know her facts. If she doesn't know an answer, she just reaches into the grab-bag of her imagination," and what she things are relevant words, into the collection of vague memories that inhabit her mind and says something that she hopes sounds intelligent. As long as she uses what she thinks are "right words," words that she associates with the topic at hand, she can get by even if she knows nothing about the topic at hand other than the few "right words" she has heard or read somewhere that she really can't remember.

She is doing her job -- which is similar to be that of a Barbie for the religious right, a sort of doll for Jesus with a talk box in her mouth. In her belief system, it's OK to answer questions even when she doesn't know what she is talking about because she doesn't know what it is like to know what you are talking about.

The proof? Sarah Palin's troubled academic career. She moved from school to school for a reason. Were here teachers and professors not treating her as fairly as she would have liked? We have heard from Obama's college professor, but have we heard from any of Sarah Palin's professors. Do any of them really remember her? She probably always learned the minimum, dressed the little she knew up in language that resembled intelligent language when she took tests and felt she deserved better grades than she got.

I have to say one thing for Sarah Palin. I admire her ability to fake it. That is a quality that I personally never mastered very well. Sooner or later Sarah Palin will contradict herself in some big way, so big that she actually sees that she doesn't know what she is talking about. Her personal moment of truth could come a lot later. I just hope it doesn't bring down the whole country.

The problem is that the Republican Party does not know what to do about her. So many Republican leaders are taking the easy way out by indulging and encouraging her. After all, she is creating crowds -- and distracting and confusing the news media as well as some Democrats. But, while Republican leaders are allowing her to bask in her book tour, she is building a following that is emotionally attached to her. It is going to be very difficult for the Republicans to call the game, drop her and put her in her place when the next primary season comes around. By complaining constantly about unfair treatment from the press, she is making it nearly impossible for rational Republicans (assuming there are any) to put her in her place.

Sarah Palin lies because she is so poorly educated and so incompetent that she doesn't know what it feels like to tell the truth. Her mind just doesn't know how to differentiate between facts and fantasy -- especially when the fantasy has a religious or messianic tinge.

Sarah Palin is like a first grader who is so nearsighted that he can't read the flash cards the teacher is holding up in arithmetic class. The child assumes that the teacher is playing a guessing game. Sarah Palin thinks that all these people on TV are just as stupid as she is and that they are lying too. She doesn't realize that they aren't lying. It isn't a guessing game. What to do about Sarah Palin? She is bad, bad news.

[BrklynLiberal]

48. Isn't this a textbook definition of a sociopath??????

[ooglymoogly]

49. Not the same kind of lie

skirting the truth to avoid hurting someones feelings is one
thing, even a very minor thing; Lying to further ones own ends is quite another. Palin's entire life is a fraud coming from the probability that she is a congenital liar seeking power over others.

Most individuals work toward what they consider a better life but in Palins case, power over others; Some by honest means some by means of the constant lie, whenever and wherever and for even the smallest reason or no reason at all; A congenital liar falls under the latter. A congenital liar cannot, under most circumstances, tell the truth and is, in my opinion, what Palin is. Congenitally congenital liars on the other hand are different as they are disposed to it by gene makeup; The discovery that, in some cases, congenital lying has a genetic basis, (not Palin), was considered a big deal at the time of its discovery.

That discovery earned a Nobel Prize in Physiology. It also raised ethical and moral issues, still being debated to this day.

[glinda]

50. They have a word for that...Sociopath...or Narcissist. Eventually "psycho".

[EmeraldCityGrl]

52. Just saw the Barbara Walters Interview

When referring to Trig she said, " when I gave birth to "it."

Unfuckingbelievable.