How long does this quiz take?

It takes about two minutes to complete.

Are my responses private?

Yes, all answers are anonymized and confidential.

Can I take this test more than once?

Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your results may have changed.

Will this quiz diagnose pathological lying?

No. This quiz is a self-assessment tool designed to increase awareness, not to provide a clinical diagnosis.

Can my results help me decide whether to seek therapy?

Yes. Your results may help identify whether lying behaviors are causing distress or impairment worth discussing with a mental health professional.

Discover whether your lying habits may be compulsive, distressing, or harmful with this science-backed psychological assessment.

Survey of Pathological Lying Behaviors

A research-backed tool for understanding compulsive and habitual lying patterns.

By Mark Travers, Ph.D. | Last Updated: December 23, 2025

Reviewed for clinical accuracy by Jourdan Travers, LCSW

Pathological lying—also referred to as pseudologia phantastica—involves chronic, compulsive fabrication that often occurs without a clear external benefit. While not classified as a standalone mental disorder, research suggests that persistent lying behaviors can significantly impair relationships, occupational functioning, and emotional well-being.

The Survey of Pathological Lying Behaviors was developed to help individuals and clinicians better understand the risks, distress, and functional consequences associated with habitual lying. Rather than focusing on moral judgment, this scale examines how lying behaviors impact control, anxiety relief, and personal safety over time.

If you are interested in related patterns of emotional regulation or interpersonal difficulty, you may also want to explore the Passive Aggression Scale or the Anxiety Sensitivity Test, both of which examine how internal distress can influence outward behavior.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does this quiz take?: It takes about two minutes to complete.
Are my responses private?: Yes, all Survey of Pathological Lying Behaviors answers are anonymized and confidential.
Can I take this test more than once?: Yes, you can retake the test any time to see how your Survey of Pathological Lying Behaviors results may have changed.
Will this quiz diagnose pathological lying?: No. This quiz is a self-assessment tool designed to increase awareness, not to provide a clinical diagnosis.
Can my results help me decide whether to seek therapy?: Yes. Your results may help identify whether lying behaviors are causing distress or impairment worth discussing with a mental health professional.

Survey of Pathological Lying Behaviors: Take The 7-Item Test

Step 1: Rate Your Lying Behaviors

For each statement, indicate how much you agree on a scale of 1 (Strongly Disagree) to 5 (Strongly Agree). For best results, answer honestly and trust your first instinct.

1. My lying behaviors have resulted in impairment for me in my occupation, social relationships, finances and/or legal contexts.

2. My lying causes me significant distress.

3. My lying has put myself or others in danger.

4. My lying is something out of my control.

5. After I lie, I feel less anxious.

6. My lies tend to grow larger from an initial lie.

7. Most of the lies I tell are for no reason.

Step 2: Enter Your Demographics

Provide your age, gender, region, and first name for a detailed report comparing your results to others.

What is your age?

What is your gender?

What region of the world do you live in?

What is your first name?

Step 3: Submit Your Survey of Pathological Lying Behaviors Answers

After completing all questions, click below to send your responses to Mark Travers, Ph.D. All answers are anonymized and confidential.

References

Curtis, D. A., & Hart, C. L. (2020). Pathological lying: Theoretical and empirical support for a diagnostic entity. Psychiatric Research and Clinical Practice, 2(2), 62–69.

Disclaimer

This scale is designed for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment.