Could you be persuaded to say something you knew not to be true?

Most of us would probably say “Absolutely not. Never.” But the evidence is that even a small amount of social pressure can make grown adults say things they know to be untrue.

Take the case of Malcolm Gladwell . The Canadian-born author has had most of the good fortune that life can bring. His received opinions have gained him lucrative positions at liberal publications. His books have become international bestsellers. In fact many authors might look in envy at the fact that some airport bookshops seem to have a whole Malcolm Gladwell section.

His schtick might be to say banal things in ways that appear spicy and new. But he has made a very good career of it and been lauded by his peers.

Yet this week he admitted that h

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