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by singwell-is off researching a lot on March 15th, 2007

singwell-is off researching a lot

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How can or do you tell if someone is lying?

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  • by worshiptool on March 15th, 2007

    worshiptool

    Body Language of Lies:
    • Physical expression will be limited and stiff, with few arm and hand movements. Hand, arm and leg movement are toward their own body the liar takes up less space.

    • A person who is lying to you will avoid making eye contact.

    • Hands touching their face, throat & mouth. Touching or scratching the nose or behind their ear. Not likely to touch his chest/heart with an open hand.

    Emotional Gestures & Contradiction
    • Timing and duration of emotional gestures and emotions are off a normal pace. The display of emotion is delayed, stays longer it would naturally, then stops suddenly.

    • Timing is off between emotions gestures/expressions and words. Example: Someone says "I love it!" when receiving a gift, and then smile after making that statement, rather then at the same time the statement is made.

    • Gestures/expressions don’t match the verbal statement, such as frowning when saying “I love you.”

    • Expressions are limited to mouth movements when someone is faking emotions (like happy, surprised, sad, awe, )instead of the whole face. For example; when someone smiles naturally their whole face is involved: jaw/cheek movement, eyes and forehead push down, etc.

    Interactions and Reactions
    • A guilty person gets defensive. An innocent person will often go on the offensive.

    • A liar is uncomfortable facing his questioner/accuser and may turn his head or body away.

    • A liar might unconsciously place objects (book, coffee cup, etc.) between themselves and you.

    Verbal Context and Content
    • A liar will use your words to make answer a question. When asked, “Did you eat the last cookie?” The liar answers, “No, I did not eat the last cookie.”

    •A statement with a contraction is more likely to be truthful: “ I didn't do it” instead of “I did not do it”

    • Liars sometimes avoid "lying" by not making direct statements. They imply answers instead of denying something directly.

    • The guilty person may speak more than natural, adding unnecessary details to convince you... they are not comfortable with silence or pauses in the conversation.

    • A liar may leave out pronouns and speak in a monotonous tone. When a truthful statement is made the pronoun is emphasized as much or more than the rest of the words in a statement.

    • Words may be garbled and spoken softly, and syntax and grammar may be off. In other
    words, his sentences will likely be muddled rather than emphasized.

    Other signs of a lie:
    • If you believe someone is lying, then change subject of a conversation quickly, a liar follows along willingly and becomes more relaxed. The guilty wants the subject changed; an innocent person may be confused by the sudden change in topics and will want to back to the previous subject.

    • Using humor or sarcasm to avoid a subject.

    Final Notes:
    Obviously, just because someone exhibits one or more of these signs does not make them a liar. The above behaviors should be compared to a persons base (normal) behavior whenever possible.


    Also, a lie can be detected through eye movement, for more on this:
    http://www.blifaloo.com/info/lies_eyes.php

    Comments

    • great answer

      singwell-is off researching a lot

      by singwell-is off researching a lot on March 15th, 2007

    • Very good answer, I am glad you mentioned that they don't necessarily point to lying, having aspergers I find I have trouble at times in social situations or new situations and when I am nervous I play with my face and do several of things you mention. Then I become aware I am doing them and start trying not to which is even worse.

      Gingerminx

      by Gingerminx on December 28th, 2008

    • This answer is absolutely amazing!!!! +5!

      Mikeisha

      by Mikeisha on February 24th, 2009

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