Academic research Quote by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz
““Another reason for lying is simply to mess with surveys. This is a huge problem for any research regarding teenagers, fundamentally complicating our ability to understand this age group. Researchers originally found a correlation between a teenager’s being adopted and a variety of negative behaviors, such as using drugs, drinking alcohol, and skipping school. In subsequent research, they found this correlation was entirely explained by the 19 percent of self-reported adopted teenagers who weren’t actually adopted. Follow-up research has found that a meaningful percent of teenagers tell surveys they are more than seven feet tall, weigh more than four hundred pounds, or have three children. One survey found 99 percent of students who reported having an artificial limb to academic researchers were kidding.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Everybody Lies by Seth Stephens‑Davidowitz, 2010
Survey falsehoods distort data, especially when respondents exaggerate or fabricate extreme traits, undermining research reliability.
In simple terms: People lie on surveys, skewing data.
Key Takeaway
Design checks to verify responses.
Themes
truthfulness
data integrity
research challenges
Mood
analytical
skeptical
Type
methodological
critical
When to use this quote
- market research
- public health studies
- policy analysis
Key Concepts
self‑report bias
exaggeration
survey methodology
Questions to Reflect On
- What methods can reduce survey deception?
- How do cultural factors influence lying?
A Different Perspective
Reliance on self‑report can mislead conclusions.
