Attitudes Toward Lying Questionnaire Test

Understand how you view different kinds of lies from people close to you in just 7 minutes. With 34 items, it gives clear insights to support counseling, team trust, or research.
Start Online Test
Questions347 minutes
Hi! My name is Freudly, i am an AI therapist, I will give you an interpretation of the test after you complete it.
08:30
October 2, 2025
October 2, 2025
Material has been updated
28876 views
1854 completions
1592 likes
Share
Scale Explorer
How the Scales are Structured
example score
7/8
Justifying Lie (JL)
Measures how acceptable and understandable the respondent finds justificatory lies used to reduce blame after a shameful act is revealed.
Low acceptance
Moderate acceptance
High acceptance
02Low acceptance35Moderate acceptance68High acceptance
A score of 7 falls in the High acceptance range, suggesting the respondent is generally more inclined to view justificatory lies as understandable or permissible for mitigating consequences.
example score
5/8
Fantasy Lying (FL)
Measures how acceptable or typical the person finds harmless fantasy-style lying used to embellish one’s image without intent to harm.
Low
Moderate
High
02Low35Moderate68High
A score of 5 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting a noticeable but not dominant tendency to view image-enhancing, harmless fantasy lies as acceptable or understandable.
example score
4/8
Lying for Someone's Benefit (LfSB)
Measures how acceptable you find withholding important information to protect someone from harm.
Low acceptance
Moderate acceptance
High acceptance
02Low acceptance35Moderate acceptance68High acceptance
A score of 4 indicates a moderate tendency to view protective withholding as acceptable in some situations, while still valuing openness in others.
example score
5/8
Polite Lie (PL)
Measures how acceptable and commonplace the person finds etiquette-based “polite lies” used to maintain social harmony.
Low acceptance
Moderate acceptance
High acceptance
02Low acceptance35Moderate acceptance68High acceptance
A score of 5 suggests a moderate acceptance of etiquette lies, viewing them as situationally appropriate but not universally justified.
example score
7/12
Reasons for Lying (RfL)
Measures how strongly a person attributes various motives and reasons for lying to other people.
Few motives attributed
Moderate motives attributed
Many motives attributed
04Few motives attributed58Moderate motives attributed912Many motives attributed
A score of 7 indicates a moderate tendency to see multiple possible reasons behind others’ lying rather than assuming a single motive.
example score
3/8
Lying as Self-Presentation (LaS)
Measures how acceptable or typical a person finds lying that is used to enhance one’s image in interactions with acquaintances or strangers.
Low
Moderate
High
02Low35Moderate68High
A score of 3 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting a generally mixed or situational attitude toward self-presentation lies rather than a strong acceptance or rejection.
example score
3/8
Gossip (G)
Measures how acceptable or typical a person finds sharing unverified information about others (gossip) as a form of lying.
Low
Moderate
High
02Low35Moderate68High
A score of 3 falls in the Moderate range, suggesting a mixed or situational attitude toward gossip-related unverified information rather than a consistently rejecting or endorsing stance.
example score
4/8
Omission (O)
Measures how acceptable or impactful the respondent perceives lying by omission (withholding relevant information) in close relationships and everyday interactions.
Low acceptance
Moderate acceptance
High acceptance
02Low acceptance35Moderate acceptance68High acceptance
A score of 4 indicates a moderate acceptance of omission, suggesting the respondent may see silence as sometimes permissible but still potentially misleading depending on context.
Start Online Test
just completed the test
DATA-BASED USER COHORTS
Who Usually Takes This Test?
Couples and close friends
41%OF USERS
People who want clearer boundaries around honesty in their relationship and to understand which kinds of lies feel acceptable or harmful.
Therapists and counselors
34%OF USERS
Practitioners who use a quick questionnaire to discuss trust, conflict triggers, and motives attributed to others’ deception in sessions.
HR and researchers
25%OF USERS
Professionals studying communication norms in teams or groups who need a structured, fast measure of attitudes toward different lie types.
BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.
RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE
What You’ll See After You Finish the Test
Scale Results
— Explained Clearly
Your scores across each test scale, translated into plain, usable insights. Not just numbers, but what they actually mean for your daily life, emotional state, and overall well-being.
AI-Powered
Interpretation
A structured, clinically grounded explanation. Our AI analyzes patterns and relationships between scales to provide a coherent interpretation — without alarmist language.
Statistical
Comparison
See how you compare to others. Your scores are placed in a statistical context, showing percentiles and trends based on anonymized platform data to help you understand what`s typical.
Practical
Recommendations
Actionable guidance tailored to your profile. Receive clear, realistic suggestions you can apply immediately — focused on coping, self-regulation, and realistic next steps.
AI-Detected
Insights
Key patterns you might not notice on your own. Surfacing subtle connections in your responses that help you better understand what may be driving your current results.
Discuss with
an AI Psychologist
Clarify, reflect, and explore right away. Talk through your outcomes, ask questions, and explore meanings in a calm, non-diagnostic dialogue environment.
Start Online Test
Used in 52+ countries
Benchmarking
See How You Compare
Once you finish the test, your results will be compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of the benchmarks we use to place your score in context.
Lie-justification (L)
Average
5
Normal range
3.56.5
min.
0
max.
8
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
Lie-Fantasy (L)
Average
3.8
Normal range
2.55
min.
0
max.
8
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
Lies for a Good Cause (LfaGC)
Average
5.9
Normal range
4.96.9
min.
0
max.
8
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
Etiquette Lies (EL)
Average
4.3
Normal range
3.35.3
min.
0
max.
8
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
Causes of Lying (CoL)
Average
3
Normal range
1.14.9
min.
0
max.
12
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
Self-Presentation Lies (SL)
Average
5.1
Normal range
3.66.6
min.
0
max.
8
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
Gossip (G)
Average
2.4
Normal range
1.23.6
min.
0
max.
8
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
Default (D)
Average
3.8
Normal range
2.45.1
min.
0
max.
8
majority
This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.
Featured On
Rated 4.8/5 by Our Customers
Freudly really helped me discover parts of my personality I hadn’t noticed before. It strengthened the areas where I needed to grow and made me feel more grounded and confident in the parts that already worked well.
Emma C., US
I wanted to understand how serious my ADHD is, and now I finally do. I also realized I need to work on my self-esteem. It has been low for a long time, and that makes daily life harder than it should be.
Mateo R., CA
Reading each question felt like someone really understood me. Even though I’ve already dealt with much of this, reflecting still helped me learn something new about myself.
Caroline F., US
The process is simple. The test covers everything you need, and you’ll get a clear breakdown of your results. For just a few dollars, it’s a great value.
Klara N., CZ
I kept thinking there might be a small chance, but now I know for sure. The questions were easy to understand, and the whole process was straightforward.
Bruno M., BR
I really enjoyed this experience. I learned a lot, and it helped me make sense of my thoughts and the feeling I’ve had for a long time that I may have grown up with undiagnosed ADHD.
Alice B., FR
Great platform — the insights were genuinely meaningful!
Daniel W., DE
Everything was easy to follow. The tools you get at the end are genuinely helpful for self-growth, and the price is very reasonable. I really appreciate that.
Sofia M., ES
Surprisingly accurate — honestly didn’t expect it to nail things so well.
Adir B., IL
There are lots of different tests to pick from, and the price is surprisingly low for how much insight you get.
Olivia W., CA
I was pleasantly surprised when I read the results. It was as if someone had sorted out my messy thoughts and given me useful tips to help me speak with more confidence.
Grace O., IE
It was really solid, very detailed, and it actually helped me make sense of a lot of things.
Carla T., TT
I was really impressed with the report. It was clear, thoughtful, and it reflected things I’ve been noticing about myself.
Jade H., US
The questions made me think deeply and helped me become more self-aware.
Brooke S., US
Reading through most of the questions made me feel understood. Although I’ve already worked through some of these issues, the questions still gave me useful insights and helped me learn more about myself.
Ryan M., US
I usually take one or two tests each month, and this has become a good way for me to see how I’m doing.
Lucas W., US
Most of the time, my results are in the 90 to 98th percentile compared to others. It really makes me feel like there’s something unique about me.
Ethan C., US
I tried out some of the AI’s suggestions, and to be honest, they worked much better than I thought they would. Maybe this thing really is smarter than me.
Reece D., AU
Trusted by 22k+ Users Worldwide
CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions

Any questions left?

What does this questionnaire measure?
It measures attitudes toward different types of lies told by close others in everyday relationships. It also assesses which motives for lying are attributed to other people.
What types of lies are included?
It covers fantasy, white lies, justificatory lies, omission, gossip, polite lies, and self-presentation lies. Items compare how acceptable or harmful each type is perceived to be.
How long does it take and how many items are included?
It includes 34 items and typically takes about 7 minutes to complete. Time may vary depending on reading speed.
How should items be answered?
Each item should be answered based on the respondent’s typical view rather than a single unusual event. Responses should reflect the first, most accurate judgment.
How are results used and what should not be inferred?
Results support work on interpersonal boundaries, trust, and communication by showing patterns of tolerance across lie types and perceived motives. Scores do not label honesty or determine intent in specific real-world cases.
WHAT THE TEST MEASURES
About This Assessment
Questionnaire on Attitudes Toward Lying Test

Attitudes Toward Lying Questionnaire Test

This questionnaire assesses how an individual evaluates the acceptability and impact of different forms of deception in interpersonal contexts. The Attitudes Toward Lying Questionnaire can be used to characterize attitudes toward lying by close others (e.g., family, friends, coworkers) and related inferences about motives for deception.

Developed by Paul Ekman, it consists of 34 items and typically requires about 7 minutes to complete. Items are intended to capture distinctions among common types of lies and perceived reasons for lying, supporting clinical formulation or research focused on trust, boundaries, and interpersonal expectations.

The Attitudes Toward Lying Questionnaire is generally interpreted in conjunction with the referral question and other clinical information, and results should be considered descriptive of attitudes rather than direct indicators of actual honesty or behavior.

Author: Paul Ekman
Literature: DePaulo, B. M., Kashy, D. A., Kirkendol, S. E., Wyer, M. M., & Epstein, J. A. Lying in everyday life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 1996.
Test Question Form
You Might Also Like
Types of Lies Questionnaire
This questionnaire assesses attitudes toward different forms of deception a…
Start Test
Attitudes Toward Death Scale
This brief self-report measure is designed to assess individuals’ attitudes…
Start Test
Comments
Leave a Comment