D140

Deceitfulness

BD12 Dark & Difficult Traits
Derived LayerMML-2

Version v1.2.4

Definition

A stable pattern of distorting truth for advantage, responsibility avoidance, or situational control (a style, not a one-off lie).

Poles

Each HES element is a spectrum, not a category: the Low and High poles describe how it presents at its two extremes, while the Reference marks the typical, everyday middle. The poles map variation across the range — neither end is inherently better or worse.

Low Pole

Lying is rare, high-threshold, and internally inhibited.

High Pole

Deception becomes default instrument: misrepresentation, half-truths, strategic omissions, fabrication.

Reference

Generally truthful but prone to “polishing” or hiding unpleasant facts in conflict contexts.

Measure

Primary: Frequency — rate of deliberate factual distortion in consequential contexts.

Measuring Methods

Statement-to-fact audits where verification is possible + controlled temptation-to-lie tasks (with strong ethics constraints).

Empirical Anchor

Deceitfulness / deception propensity; Machiavellianism — deception facet; pathological lying research.

Notes

Not identical to Sincerity (D109): sincerity is alignment of expression with inner state; deceitfulness is a behavioral pattern of factual distortion.

Citation

APA

Human Elements System. (2026). Deceitfulness (HES Passport D140, v1.2.4). hestable.com. https://hestable.com/passport/D140

BibTeX

@misc{hes_D140, author = {{Human Elements System}}, title = {{Deceitfulness}}, year = {2026}, note = {HES Passport D140, v1.2.4}, howpublished = {\url{https://hestable.com/passport/D140}} }