Here are a few ways to start turning yourself into a human lie detector. Through careful observation and a copious amount of knowledge on human psychology, you can become aware of the signs and signals that will expose even the most accomplished, practiced liars.
Changing the topic
It’s a classic move straight out of the “How to Lie” handbook. When the topic hits a little too close to home for the liar, they will often try to steer the conversation in another direction. Good liars will change the subject in a subtle and seemingly natural way, and it will often be hard to detect. However, if you remain alert and aware of the possibility that you are being told a lie, it’s fairly easy to keep pressing the topic that makes the liar uncomfortable and edgy.
Eye contact
In an honest conversation, the amount of eye contact will seem natural. When someone is lying, often the most telling action will be too little eye contact, or too much. An unpracticed liar might feel guilty and ashamed, and avoid looking at you straight on, afraid that their eyes will betray their falsehood.
Conversely, the person who regularly lies with ease and gets away with it will perhaps hold eye contact for an unusually long amount of time — as if trying to convince you (and themselves) that the yarn they’re spinning is actually true.
Fidgeting
This is perhaps one of the most foolproof ways to spot a lie. This method is especially used by children and those who don’t have much lying experience. Is the person moving around uncharacteristically? Are they fiddling with something on their clothes or obsessively messing with their hair. Nervous tics also include diverting focus onto something else, such as inspecting nails, cracking knuckles, and scuffing feet against the ground.
Answering a question with a question
Honest people will answer a question, not respond with one of their own. It’s also a dead giveaway when a person starts repeating a question. This buys them time to come up with an answer. Even when a question is very clear, the liar may ask, “What do you mean by that?”
Inconsistent story
Lying is hard work. The liar has to keep all their stories straight and avoid mixing up times and places. It’s a lot to remember, and often the lies will start to become clear when the liar starts stumbling over words and changing story details. It will seem rehearsed. Try throwing a curveball or demand an explanation that the person may not have an immediate answer for. The hesitation that they show when you ask for proof or validation will cause them to stumble and stutter. This buys them time to come up with a semi-plausible explanation.
Answering a question without being asked
During a simple conversation, liars will often feel like they are being interrogated. Especially if they are feeling guilty or have reason to believe that you suspect them. They may start answering questions that you haven’t even asked. The best lies are well rehearsed, and when you don’t go along with the script inside their head, the person lying will still feel the need to defend themselves from an imaginary second actor in the play that they’ve written.
Touching the nose
While this may seem like an overly simple way to unearth a liar, it’s actually quite accurate. Save from a person suffering from a dreadful cold, or a compulsive nose picker, the average adult doesn’t habitually touch their nose. Research has shown that a liar will often touch the base of their nose when telling a tall tale.
Repetition
The liar will often repeat themselves in order to prove their innocence. They will also start saying things like “honestly,” “simply,” and “I swear to you.”
Other telltale signs of a liar
- checking the time
- shrugging
- looking towards the door
- pitch change (voice either higher or lower than normal)
- excessive blinking
- crossed arms
- sitting or standing too straight
- fake smile/smiling too often
- foot tapping
- leg shaking
- finger tapping
- not using contractions (“I am sure… “ or “I will be…”)
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