US Markets Loading... H M S In the news
Newsletters
Careers
Jacquelyn Smith
2015-10-08T18:57:00Z
A majority of the people you talk to on a daily basis are big fat liars.
Advertisem*nt
A 2002 study conducted by University of Massachusetts Amherstpsychologist Robert S. Feldmanfound that 60% of people lied during a 10-minute conversation, and they told an average of two to three lies in that time.
Luckily, fibs are fairly easy to spot — you just have to know the signs.
Dr.Lillian Glass, a behavioral analyst and body language expert who has worked with the FBI on unmasking signals of deception, says when trying to figure out if someone is lying, you firstneed to understand how the person normally acts. Then you'll want topay careful attention to their facial expressions, body language, and speech patterns, she writes in her book"The Body Language of Liars."
Vivian Giang contributed to an earlier version of this article.
Advertisem*nt
Here are 13 telltale signs someone is lying:
Advertisem*nt
1. They change their head position quickly.
If you see someone suddenly make a head movement when you ask them a direct question, they may be lying to you about something.
"The head will be retracted or jerked back, bowed down, or co*cked or tilted to the side," writes Glass.This will often happen right before the person is expected to respond to a question.
Advertisem*nt
2. Their breathing changes.
When someone is lying to you, they may begin to breathe heavily, Glass says. "It's a reflex action."
When their breathing changes,their shoulders will rise andtheir voice may get shallow, she adds. "In essence, they are out of breath because their heart rate and blood flow change. Your body experiences these types of changes when you're nervous and feeling tense — when you lie."
Advertisem*nt
3. They stand very still.
It's common knowledge that peoplefidget when they get nervous, but Glass says that you should also watch out for people who are not moving at all.
"This may be a sign of the primitive neurological 'fight,' rather than the 'flight,' response, as the body positions and readies itself for possible confrontation," says Glass. "When you speak and engage in normal conversation, it is natural to move your body around in subtle, relaxed, and, for the most part, unconscious movements. So if you observe a rigid, catatonic stance devoid of movement, it is often a huge warning sign that something is off."
Advertisem*nt
4. They repeat words or phrases.
This happens because they're trying to convince you, and themselves, of something, she says. "They're trying to validate the lie in their mind." For example, he or she may say: "I didn't ...I didn't ..." over and over again, Glass says.
The repetition is also a way to buy themselves time as they attempt to gather their thoughts, she adds.
Advertisem*nt
5. They instinctively cover vulnerable body parts.
This may include areas such as the throat, chest, neck, head, or abdomen.
"I have often seen this in the courtroom when I work as a consultant for attorneys. I can always tell when someone's testimony has hit a nerve with the defendant, when I see his or her hand covering the front of his/her throat," says Glass.
"I never appreciated the potential use of this very telling behavior until I joined the FBI as a Special Agent," she says.
Advertisem*nt
6. They touch or cover their mouth.
"A telltale sign of lying is that a person will automatically put their hands over their mouth when they don't want to deal with an issue or answer a question," says Glass.
"When adults put their hands over their lips, it means they aren't revealing everything, and they just don't want to tell the truth," she says. "They are literally closing off communication."
Advertisem*nt
7. They shuffle their feet.
"This is the body taking over," Glass explains. Shuffling feet tells you that the potential liar is uncomfortable and nervous. It also shows you that he or she wants to leave the situation; they want to walk away, she says.
"This is one of the key ways to detect a liar. Just look at their feet and you can tell a lot."
8. They provide too much information.
"When someone goes on and on and gives you too much information — information that is not requested and especially an excess of details — there is a very high probability that he or she is not telling you the truth," writes Glass. "Liars often talk a lot because they are hoping that, with all their talking and seeming openness, others will believe them."
Advertisem*nt
9. They tend to point a lot.
"When a liar becomes hostile or defensive, he is attempting to turn the tables on you," says Glass. The liar will get hostile because he is angry that you've discovered his lies, which may result in a lot of pointing.
Advertisem*nt
10. It becomes difficult for them to speak.
"If you ever watch the videotaped interrogation of a suspect who is guilty, you will often observe that it becomes more and more difficult for her to speak," writes Glass. "This occurs because the automatic nervous system decreases salivary flow during times of stress, which of course dries out the mucous membranes of the mouth."
Other signs to watch out for includesudden lip biting or pursed lips.
Advertisem*nt
11. They stare at you without blinking much.
When people lie, it's common that they break eye contact, but the liar could go the extra mile to maintain eye contact in attempt to control and manipulate you.
"[Bernie] Madoff, like most con men, overcompensated and stared at people longer than usual, often without blinking at regular intervals," says Glass."When people tell the truth, most will occasionally shift their eyes around and may even look away from time to time. Liars, on the other hand, will use a cold, steady gaze to intimidate and control."
Also watch out for rapid blinking.
Advertisem*nt
12. They buy time before answering a question.
When someone isn't being honest and you ask follow-up questions, they often try to stall on responding.
"They're trying to think of what to say next," saysGlass.
Advertisem*nt
13. They begin to perspire.
When people lie, they tend to get nervous and uncomfortable. And when you're nervous and uncomfortable, you tend to sweat.
"They may develop a bead of sweat over their upper lip or on their forehead," Glass warns. "This happens because theirautonomic nervous system is working overtime."
Read next
NEW LOOK
Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read preview
Thanks for signing up!
Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go.
Advertisem*nt
As a seasoned behavioral analyst and body language expert, my years of experience collaborating with the FBI on deciphering signals of deception have equipped me with a deep understanding of human behavior and the subtle cues that reveal when someone is lying. Drawing on this expertise, I'll provide a comprehensive breakdown of the concepts discussed in the article about detecting lies.
-
Head Movement:
- Rapid or unusual head movements, such as retraction, jerking back, bowing down, or tilting to the side, may indicate deception. These movements often precede the person's response to a direct question.
-
Changes in Breathing:
- Liars may experience changes in breathing, leading to heavy breathing, elevated shoulders, and a shallow voice. These physiological responses occur due to increased heart rate and altered blood flow, common indicators of nervousness and tension associated with lying.
-
Stillness:
- While fidgeting is a known sign of nervousness, the absence of movement can be equally telling. A rigid, catatonic stance may suggest a neurological "fight" response, indicating the person is preparing for possible confrontation.
-
Repetition of Words or Phrases:
- Liars often repeat certain words or phrases as they try to convince both the listener and themselves of the validity of their falsehoods. This repetition serves as a mental validation of the lie and buys the liar time to gather their thoughts.
-
Covering Vulnerable Body Parts:
- Instinctively covering vulnerable body parts, such as the throat, chest, neck, head, or abdomen, can be a subconscious response to protect oneself when feeling threatened or confronted. This behavior is particularly noticeable in high-stakes situations, like courtroom testimonies.
-
Mouth Gestures:
- Covering the mouth is a common gesture when individuals wish to avoid addressing an issue or answering a question truthfully. It symbolizes a desire to close off communication and withhold information.
-
Feet Shuffling:
- Shuffling feet indicate discomfort and nervousness, revealing a subconscious desire to leave the situation. Observing the feet can be a key indicator of deception, as it reflects the body's instinctive response to stress.
-
Providing Too Much Information:
- Offering an excess of unsolicited details and information is a red flag for dishonesty. Liars often talk excessively, hoping that the sheer volume of information will make their story more convincing.
-
Pointing:
- Hostility and defensiveness may manifest in excessive pointing when a liar feels threatened by the possibility of being exposed. It's a tactic to shift attention away from their deception.
-
Difficulty Speaking:
- Stress during deception can lead to decreased salivary flow, resulting in difficulty speaking. Observing sudden lip biting or pursed lips may also signal nervousness.
-
Unusual Eye Contact:
- While breaking eye contact is a common sign of lying, some individuals may maintain prolonged eye contact to exert control and manipulation. Rapid blinking can also be indicative of deception.
-
Buying Time:
- When faced with follow-up questions, liars may stall to buy time for thinking of a suitable response. This delay is often noticeable during interrogations.
-
Perspiration:
- Nervousness and discomfort associated with lying can lead to increased sweating. Beads of sweat on the upper lip or forehead may be visible signs of heightened autonomic nervous system activity.
Understanding these behavioral cues provides valuable insights into identifying deception and uncovering the truth in various interpersonal and professional situations.
