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13 Clever Ways to Spot a Liar, According to Psychologists
Ever feel like someone’s not being entirely truthful? Experts reveal some subtle yet powerful strategies to help you detect deception.
1. Eye Contact Clues: Liars often avoid eye contact, though seasoned fibbers might overcompensate with intense, uncomfortable stares. Also, watch for pupil dilation, a sign of anxiety.
2. The Victim Card: Be wary of those who quickly become outraged, tearful, or try to guilt-trip you when questioned. This emotional deflection can be a tactic to avoid the truth.
3. Trust Your Gut: That uneasy feeling in your stomach?
It’s your intuition talking. Don’t ignore it.
4. Conversational Redirects: Liars often answer a different question than the one you asked, subtly shifting the focus and avoiding a direct lie.
5. Conversational Shifts: Start with neutral questions to establish a baseline. A liar’s speech patterns might change when you switch to more direct inquiries.
6. Sudden Sweetness: Be cautious of unexpected kindness or helpfulness after a questionable interaction. It could be a tactic to avoid accountability.
7. Speech Patterns: Listen for changes in pace.
A liar might speak slowly to avoid messing up their story or quickly to rush through the lie. A higher pitch than usual can also be a giveaway.
8. The Overly Rehearsed Story: Does the story sound too polished, like a sales pitch? It might be a memorized fabrication.
9. Body Language Tells: Fidgeting, leg bouncing, darting eyes, facial touching, hair twirling – these can all indicate discomfort and potential dishonesty.
10. Over-Explaining: A simple question warrants a simple answer. Liars often over-explain, adding unnecessary details to sound more believable.
11. Mood Swings: Sudden anger, defensiveness, or agitation, especially when challenged, can be signs of deception.
12. Gaslighting: Be alert for attempts to make you question your memory or sanity. This manipulation tactic is a major red flag.
13. Facial Expressions: Watch for flushing or blotchiness (from an adrenaline spike) or paleness (from fight-or-flight mode). These can be subtle indicators of a lie.