Short & Curly Should grown-ups lie to you?
Jan 2, 2024
The podcast explores the fear of needles and the concept of the 'needle ninja' who rewards bravery. It discusses the ethics of lying to children for their benefit and the distinction between bribes and rewards. The hosts reflect on the impact of learning the story of the needle ninja isn't true and discuss a pretend needle incident.
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Childhood Tale That Eased Needle Fear
- Molly's parents told her the 'Needle Ninja' left treats after injections so she'd stop being terrified of needles.
- Believing the story made needles less scary and helped her accept vaccinations without a fight.
Comforting Stories Can Reduce Anxiety
- Stories or mild deceptions can reduce anxiety and help people cope with unpleasant but important tasks like vaccinations.
- Helping someone feel calmer can sometimes justify using comforting narratives even if they're not strictly true.
Trust Trade-Off Of Protective Myths
- Fictional explanations can change behavior but also risk undermining trust when children later learn the truth.
- Early comforting myths may prompt healthy habits, yet can cause disappointment when exposed as false.