Though almost everyone lies, the ability to detect deception is a very difficult task for most people. The ability to recognize when someone else is lying can help an individual make better choices and prevent one from being manipulated by others. However, most adults have a truth bias and can only detect deception about 50 percent of the time or at about chance levels. Researchers argue that this inability to detect deception is likely connected to the fact that the vast majority of deceptive attempts are prosocial. Individuals lie to avoid hurting others, to prevent embarrassment, and to conform to. social norms. Since the bulk of lies are designed to promote social interactions and to improve self-esteem, it is not ultimately rewarding or beneficial to detect such lies. Accepting a compliment or believing an excuse is generally more advantageous than catching a liar, so most individuals do not put energy into sharpening their lie detection skills.