How to Tell If Someone Is Lying by Facial Expressions
Liars suppress the truth through clever word arrangements, word omissions and fabricated stories. But facial expressions often betray the liar and help the careful observer look past deceitful words and get to the facts. With a clever plan and close observation you can learn to discern the truth.
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Instructions
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Make small talk. FBI agent and lying expert Joe Navarro recently told U.S. News and World Report that he makes small talk with the suspected liar before analyzing his facial expressions to see if he's lying. Noting his facial expressions when he's telling you the truth will help you better notice when those expressions change during a lie. That nervous facial twitch you think gives him away? It might be perfectly normal, he says.
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Watch the smile. You can tell if a smile is a fake one by watching the upper half of the face. Experts claim that a genuine smile is seen through the eyes and forehead as well as the mouth.
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Look for micro-expressions. These are brief flashes of true emotion on the liar's face. Paul Ekman, a psychologist most noted for his studies on human emotions and facial expressions, told The Guardian's Jon Henley that while nearly every liar's face reveals micro-expressions, nearly 99 people of people don't notice them. Practice reading micro-expressions and make yourself an expert.
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Watch facial movements along with expressions. Look out for twitches, lip-biting, nervous ticks and excessive swallowing. These are all examples of nervous facial movements that combine with expressions to work against the liar.
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Look into the eyes. That old proverb, "Eyes are the windows to the soul" holds wisdom for human lie detectors. Look for excessive blinking, avoided eye contact and enlarged pupils.
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Be honest with yourself. Often those set out to catch a liar are ready to believe it's a lie before believing it's the truth. Don't let your emotions interfere with a sound judgment call. Remember that he could be telling the truth.
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Tips & Warnings
Remember that those who feel that you already distrust them are more prone to act like they're lying--even when they aren't.
