What Are the Signs to Tell if a Person Is Lying to You?
Whether we like it or not, we have either lied or have been lied to many times in our lives. Thus, it will be a good thing to be able to determine whether someone is lying. Although there are some people who are good at lying and can get away with lying without giving themselves away, most people would show some of the following signs if they are lying.
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Eye Contact and Eye Movements
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The eyes are the first indicator of whether a person is lying to you. They say that if a person cannot look you straight in the eye, then he is probably hiding something from you or telling you a lie. A chronic liar, however, will have a tendency to know this and try to compensate by giving you too much eye contact. Some psychologists also believe that when a person lies, he tends to look to the right because he uses the right part of his brain to conjure a valid story to tell.
Awkward Gestures and Movements
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If you cannot tell from the eyes if a person is lying, it's time to look at his gestures and movements. A person who is lying has a tendency to become fidgety and to become uneasy, especially those who are not used to telling lies. Keep an eye for sweaty palms, crossed legs and arms, or frequent hand movements. Keep in mind, though, that these signs may also just mean that the person you are talking to is just nervous and is not necessarily lying.
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Rate of Speech
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If a person speaks in a very rapid manner, it could also be an indicator that a person is lying. It is also true if the person speaks very slowly. When looking at the rate of speech to determine whether a person is lying, an important point to consider is the normal rate of speech that a person usually has. This may not be a good indicator if you are speaking to someone for the first time, since you do not have a basis of what his normal rate of speech is.
Words Used
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The words that a person uses can also be an indicator whether he is lying to you. If a person is lying, there is a tendency to provide excessive details in an attempt to convince you that every detail of his story is foolproof and accurate. You must also watch out for any inconsistencies. A person who is used to lying might be able to master his eye movements, gestures, and rate of speech, so the only way you could catch whether he is lying is to look for inconsistencies in his story.
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