How to Tell If Someone Is Lying with These 10 Science-Backed Hacks
Researchers studying lying and deception have discovered several tell-tale signs that make it possible to tell when someone is lying
By | Kirstie Pursey | www.learning-mind.com
On their own, some of these signs are not too much to worry about. They can sometimes be for completely different reasons and not a tell that the person you are talking to is lying at all. However, if you notice several of these signs when you are having a conversation with someone, it would be as well to be on your guard.
1. They display nervous habits
One way to tell if the person you are talking to is lying is by watching their behaviour. Researchers have discovered that people who are lying often give themselves away with nervous habits such as scratching, blinking or fidgeting. They may also start sweating or blushing.
However, we have to be careful, because people may display these signs for other reasons such as nervousness or even attraction. When we take these signs together with other clues though, they can point to someone being guilty of lying.
2. They avoid certain types of word
James W. Pennebaker, Ph.D., a professor of psychology at Southern Methodist University, has found that analysing people’s choice of words can reveal when they are lying. Along with his colleagues, he found that liars tend to use fewer first-person words such as ‘I’ or ‘my’.
In addition, Pennebaker found that liars are less likely to use emotional words such as ‘hurt’ and angry’ and also cognitive words such as ‘understand’ or realize’.
