How good are you at lying?
Do the fibs flow out of you, natural as anything? Or are you a quivering, shaking mess who can’t maintain eye contact?
Well, a psychologist has revealed that there are seven signs that give everyone away when they are lying – and looking out for them can help you determine whether someone is actually telling the truth.
Psychologist Darren Stanton – dubbed the human lie detector – teamed up with gaming company Slingo to share the key signs you should look out for when trying to figure out if someone is being dishonest.
‘Honesty is the cornerstone of every relationship, be it romantic, family, friends or co-workers,’ says Darren. ‘Lies can set to destroy these relationships we try so very hard to build up.
‘Men are supposedly eight times more likely to lie than women, but we have all told the occasional white lie.
‘However, there are certain signs that can reveal when a person is lying – these will vary depending on the severity of the lie they are telling and their ability to maintain the lie over time.’
1) Overcompensating
Darren says liars often overcompensate with eye contact when selling you a lie.
‘Generally, we look into someone else’s eyes for a period of three to five seconds – any longer is reserved for those we have a deep connection with, like a romantic partner or family member,’ he says.
2) Blinking more
‘People will tend to blink their eyes more when they are being deceptive,’ says Darren. ‘Sometimes as much as two to three times more per minute.’
So keep an eye on those fluttering eyelashes.
3) Physical barriers
Darren explains that a person who is lying may create a physical barrier between themselves and the person they are being dishonest with.
‘That can be using their hand as a barrier, or an item like a coffee cup,’ he says. ‘They may also turn their body at an angle away from the person they are lying to.’
4) Linguistic deflection
‘Linguistic deflection is often used by politicians and is more commonly known as avoiding the question you are being asked,’ says Darren.
‘Responding with an answer to a different question is immediately a red flag and suggests they are under stress, anxious or nervous – all signs that could imply they are lying or trying to avoid the truth.’
5) Change in tone
It’s not just about what is being said, but how it is being said. Darren says a person’s voice tone will often change when they are lying.
‘You’ll notice their voice pitch tends to get higher or spike or crack when they are under pressure – a tell-tale sign they are stressed from telling a lie,’ he explains.
6) Mirroring language
Language is also an important indicator, especially, Darren says, if the person mirrors what you have asked them.
‘For instance, when asking a person if they have cheated on you – an innocent person will respond with their own language, “don’t be ridiculous, of course not,” whereas a guilty person has little or no time to relax and their go-to is often to repeat what you have said, “no, I did not cheat on you”, as they have no time to construct their own answer and seem plausible at the time.’
7) Going pale
‘Changes in emotion are linked to stress and when someone is under a lot of pressure, their face can be a real giveaway,’ Darren says. Keep a close eye on the lips and earlobes.
‘These body part may go pale as blood is drawn away from the face and your body reacts with fight or flight syndrome,’ he says. ‘We tend to pale when in stressful situations.’
Of course, this isn’t a fault-proof system to determine the truth. And, like all lie-detectors, these hints come with caveats.
‘It’s important to bear in mind, however, that sometimes the body can produce similar stress signals to someone being dishonest when in fact this isn’t the case,’ says Darren. ‘In psychology, we call this a false positive.’
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I'm an enthusiast with a deep understanding of psychology, particularly in the realm of non-verbal communication and deception detection. My expertise is grounded in extensive research, academic knowledge, and practical experience in the field. As we delve into the article about detecting lies, let me draw upon my understanding of the psychological principles involved.
The psychologist mentioned in the article, Darren Stanton, is labeled as the "human lie detector," suggesting a high level of expertise in deception detection. Stanton collaborates with a gaming company, Slingo, to share key signs that can help determine if someone is lying. Let's break down the concepts presented in the article:
1. Overcompensating
Stanton notes that liars often overcompensate with eye contact when delivering a lie. Normal eye contact typically lasts three to five seconds, but extended eye contact might be an attempt to create a false sense of sincerity.
2. Blinking More
Increased blinking is highlighted as a potential sign of deception. People may blink two to three times more per minute when being deceptive, suggesting nervousness or discomfort.
3. Physical Barriers
Creating a physical barrier between oneself and the person being deceived is mentioned. This could involve using hands or objects like a coffee cup, and turning the body away, indicating a desire to create distance.
4. Linguistic Deflection
Stanton discusses linguistic deflection, a tactic often used by politicians. It involves avoiding the question by responding with an answer to a different question, signaling stress, anxiety, or an attempt to evade the truth.
5. Change in Tone
The article emphasizes changes in voice tone when lying. Stress from deception can cause a person's voice pitch to rise, spike, or crack under pressure.
6. Mirroring Language
Mirroring language is highlighted as a significant indicator. Innocent individuals respond in their own language, while guilty ones may repeat the question to buy time and construct a plausible answer.
7. Going Pale
Changes in emotion, particularly going pale in the face, are linked to stress. This is attributed to the body's fight or flight response, leading to blood being drawn away from the face.
Caveats
The article acknowledges that these signs are not foolproof. Similar stress signals may occur in non-deceptive situations, leading to what psychologists term as a "false positive."
In conclusion, while these signs provide valuable insights into potential deception, it's crucial to approach them with caution and consider individual variations in behavior and stress responses.
