Private Truths, Public Lies

Kuran's “Preference Falsification” posits that our actions and beliefs are driven by two forces. Kuran states that we naturally want to fit in by conforming to the group norms, while also wanting our actions and beliefs to be individualized. The opposing pulls creates pressure on each of us to distort ourselves and hide our true opinions when the norms conflict with our personal values. This theory can be seen in the way people lie about liking food they don't like when they are at a dinner party, but also can be seen in society around the world. For example, it is easier for someone who is gay to come out of the closet in liberal areas than it is in more conservative parts of the country. We can also see preference falsification happen with political issues like abortion or gun control, where people could have very strong opinions against them but feel the need to hide their own beliefs, so others do not think less of them.