How to Detect a Lie
Do you ever wonder if the person you are speaking with is being completely honest with you? Lover’s spats, business meetings, car salesmen--life is full of moments when the truth is obscured by ulterior motives and outright deceit. Although none of these tactics are foolproof, there are several ways to detect if someone may be lying.
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Instructions
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Watch the eyes, for they are the windows to the soul. Liars will avoid making eye contact and their mannerisms are usually stiff and rigid. Some experts contend that a person looks up when thinking about information, down when considering their emotions, and to the side when skirting an issue through deception.
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Notice voice tone and inflection. When telling a lie, people tend to speak in extremes: either monotone or with great energy. Overconfidence is as likely a tip-off as withdrawal. Whatever the case, the person’s words should be appropriate to the situation. If they become defensive when answering a simple question or launch into an unnecessary elaborate explanation, recognize this as a warning sign.
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Pay attention when they dodge the issue. A liar may change the subject quickly or become overly interested in the new topic if you do. Using humor and sarcasm are also common ways of being deceptive. Watch for statements instead of direct answers to your questions. For example, if you ask, “Where is my car?” and they say, “I never drive your car,” they’re merely dodging the question. Continue asking until you get a straight answer.
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Study their smile. A fake smile involves only the mouth, whereas a genuine smile engages a number of facial muscles, including those of the eyes and cheeks. Expressions should match spoken words. Honest people won’t frown while saying they want to spend the evening with you.
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Consider their mouth. To speak a lie, a liar will have to use their mouth. Subconsciously, this fact produces anxiety that can cause the liar’s mouth to become dry and tense. Watch for unusual licking, swallowing or pursing of the lips.
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Tips & Warnings
All of these cues are merely suggestions of someone lying. None provides proof of deception. Before calling someone a liar and potentially damaging a relationship, be certain that the person is genuinely dishonest. Confronting a liar with the truth is always the best way to settle a matter, so long as you do so with love and compassion.
