LYING

Lying is a widespread phenomenon which we all do to some extent. If you are working with others, it is often very useful to be able to spot the fibs.

Liars...
...are often worried about being caught or feel guilty, and are hence tense.
So they...
...speak in a higher pitched voice
...hesitate.
...make speech errors.
...move jerkily.

Liars...
...do not 'remember' what they say happened
So they...
...say things which are inconsistent.
...miss out irrelevant detail.

Liars...
...make up stuff.
So they...
...hesitate as they think about what to say.
...forget what they said.

Liars...
...are worried about what you might ask.
So they...
...talk a lot to use up the time.
...get 'emotional' to try and put you off.
...goes along easily if you change the subject.

Liars...
...are worried about what they might say.
So they...
...use language carefully.
...pause to think before answering.
...give short answers.
...use a monotonous tone.

Liars...
...fear eye contact will give the game away.
So they...
...avoid eye contact.
...blink more often.
...rub their eyes more.

Liars...
...fear being detected.
So they...
...say as little as possible.
...try to get away or change the subject.
...parrot back your words with a denial.
...exaggerate statements about being truthful.

Liars...
...try to control body language.
So they...
...hold the body rigid.
...leak signals then cover up fast.
...smile with the mouth but not the eyes.
...forget to control the lower body (which may twitch).

Liars...
...cannot control body language.
So they...
...send conflicting signals with different parts of the body.
...have eye pupil dilation.
...shrug and grimace.
...give the game away with lower-body signals.
...fidget, with hands and feet.

Liars...
...feel threatened.
So they...
..attack, defend or deflect.
...place barriers in front of them, from arms to books to tables.

Liars...
...need time to think.
So they...
...repeat the question.
...adjust their clothing.
...ramble on about inconsequential things.
...has slight delays in speech-body alignment.

Liars...
...make up pictures and see them objectively, from the outside.
...try to keep neutral.
So they...
...describe things as if viewing them.
...use less 'I' statements.
...look in a different place (usually up and often up-right) to where we look when remembering (as opposed to constructing) a picture.

Liars...
...get warmer. Sweat.
So they...
...skin gets redder or damper.
...rubbing affected area, particularly palms or the neck.

Liars...
...know about the above and over-compensate.
So they...
...appear too relaxed.
...keep a 'frozen face' to avoid leakage.
...hold themselves still with hands and arms.
...stare (blinking less).
...go too rigid.
...go into excessive detail.
...show no discrepancies at all.
...wear dark glasses.