Kids lie. Toddlers lie. Babies lie.
Though by “lie” I mean “practice deceptive behaviors and represent themselves falsely in order to get something (or avoid something). That isn’t necessarily a moral judgment — kids aren’t really moral agents in that way. But …
Behavioural experts have found that infants begin to lie from as young as six months. Simple fibs help to train them for more complex deceptions in later life. Until now, psychologists had thought the developing brains were not capable of the difficult art of lying until four years old.
[…] Infants quickly learnt that using tactics such as fake crying and pretend laughing could win them attention. By eight months, more difficult deceptions became apparent, such as concealing forbidden activities or trying to distract parents’ attention. By the age of two, toddlers could use far more devious techniques, such as bluffing when threatened with a punishment.
None of this is really news to most parents, I suspect … but now it’s all “scientific.”
(via BoingBoing)
My cats are both liars. “I have not been fed. In fact, I am in need of food, comfort, and attention because I never get any of those things.”
With ours, it’s …
“I just gave you guys kitty treats.”
“No you didn’t.”
“Yes, I did. Not 5 minutes ago.”
“No you didn’t.”
“The crumbs from the bag are still on the counter.”
“No you didn’t.”
Of course, it might just be they have bad memories.