How to Tell If Someone Is Lying About Something

It takes a lot of experience to turn yourself into a human lie detector, but with a few pointers anyone can detect a possible lie.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. The first step in detecting a lie is to get to know the person and how they normally answer questions. This might require asking the person several questions that are easily verifiable.

2. Next is you want to let the person tell their story. Make sure you keep an accurate record of everything they tell you. Later ask the questions about the same incident but in different ways. If a person is lying they are probably not going to be consistent with their story.

3. Detecting nervousness, like in the expressions, sweating, hand clutching, tone of voice or shaking. These observations can be a sign of someone who's not being totally honest.

4. A person who lies may try to avoid the question altogether. They might try to talk in circles or act evasive.

5. One of the most common things you'll hear a liar ask is, "Why would I lie?" They try to avoid answering questions directly and completely. They will often answer a question with a question.

6. Liars tend to get unnecessarily defensive. They may become angry toward your questioning. A liar will do pretty much anything to get the subject dropped basically.

7. A liar tends to need time to think up a story. Signs of lying might be them repeating your question back to you or any other similar stall tactic.

Tips & Warnings

• Use your gut instincts.
• The signs listed are not necessarily always an indication of lying.

[mymukki]

on 8/9/2009 I've noticed that people who suspect others of lying are often liars... it's usually a red flag for me. But, if it isn't important, I do enjoy listening to a good fish story LOL

[hlthychoclitnut]

on 8/5/2009 Good to know !!I love the new show "Lie to me."