"When we lie for personal gain, our amygdala produces a negative feeling that limits the extent to which we are prepared to lie," said Dr. Tali Sharot, senior author of the study, director of the Affective Brain Lab at the University College of London and a faculty member of the department of Experimental Psychology, in a statement.
However, as we continue to lie, this response fades, which may lead to a “slippery slope” where small acts of dishonesty can evolve into more significant lies. In other words, lies breed lies as the brain gets desensitized to dishonesty.
This is particularly troubling since the average American tells one to two lies a day. Those who tend to be insecure or have an anxious or avoidant attachment style are more likely to be dishonest to avoid being criticized, rejected, or left with less than someone else has, according to a 2010 study. Also, those who believe lying will give them monetary or social recognition are more likely to continue being dishonest.