Detecting lies is a challenge that has intrigued psychologists and experts in human behavior for decades. Over time, a series of gestures and verbal signals that may indicate that someone is lying have been identified, although it is important to note that no signal is infallible and detecting lies is a complex process that requires considering multiple factors.
Eye contact
One of the most common gestures that can give away a liar is the lack of eye contact. People tend to avoid eye contact when lying, as it is uncomfortable for them to maintain eye contact while saying something false. However, this is not always indicative of lying, as some people may maintain eye contact artificially to try to seem more credible. Therefore, it is important to observe other signs of discomfort or nervousness that may accompany this gesture.
Hand and foot movements
One of the gestures that can surprise us the most is excessive hand or foot movement. People tend to become more restless when lying, and this can manifest itself in the form of nervous or uncontrollable movements. They may also touch their face or neck frequently, which can be a sign of anxiety or discomfort.
The typical gesture of putting hair behind the ear, in the case of having long hair, or lightly touching the forehead, in the case of short hair, may be symptoms that the other person is not telling the whole truth and that generates discomfort for them, requiring them to move their limbs in some way.
Language
Regarding verbal language, liars tend to use evasive or imprecise words to avoid giving specific details about what they are saying. They may also change their tone of voice or the pace of their speech, as they try to quickly think of a believable response. Additionally, they may use phrases like “to be honest” or “believe me,” in an attempt to reinforce the credibility of their statements.
Gestures
Psychologists also suggest paying attention to microfacial expressions, which are brief and uncontrolled facial expressions that can reveal hidden emotions. These expressions can appear in fractions of a second and can be difficult to detect, but can provide valuable clues about a person’s emotional state and the truthfulness of their statements.
It is important to remember that no signal alone is conclusive, and that it is necessary to consider the context and other factors before drawing conclusions about whether someone is lying or not. Additionally, it is important to consider that some people are better at hiding the truth than others, so detecting lies is more of an art than an exact science.
Ultimately, the best way to determine if someone is lying is to trust your intuition and your ability to read the non-verbal and verbal signals of a person.
