How-To & Education
How to Spot a Liar and his Lies!
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How to Tell When Someone is Lying.
Have you ever wished that you could tell when someone is not being completely honest with you?
Although there may not be any one specific foolproof method, there are techniques that one can employ to help spot a liar and his deceptions. The techniques listed here are from the same bag of tricks that law enforcement and security personal use to help determine when someone is lying. With a little practice and attentive observation they can become part of your arsenal as well.
Table of Contents
What you'll find on this lens
- Reasons for Lying - Lies can be told for many different reasons but when examined, they usually fit into one of four categories.
- Types of Lies - People do not have to outright lie in order to deceive.
- Lie Spotting - An introduction to spotting a liar and his lies.
- Body Language Clues - A person's body language can often offer clues as to whether they are being truthful.
- Verbal Clues - If you observe carefully, you may notice certain verbal clues that are indications of a possible lie.
- Tricks for Determining a Lie - A couple methods that may help you spot a lie.
- Lie Detector Test - Can you spot a liar? Test your lie detection skills and see how you fair.
- Lie Detection Books - My personal picks.
- Guestbook - Drop me a line. Do you have any comments, stories or suggestions? Please share.
Reasons for Lying
Lies can be told for many different reasons but when examined, they usually fit into one of the following four categories:
Self-enhancement - This form of lie is not aimed at hurting another but rather is orchestrated for the purpose of making oneself look better. When this type of lie is told constantly, it may indicate that the liar himself has very low self-esteem and/or purpose.
Self-seeking - Selfish lies told for the sole purpose of personally benefiting at the expense of another.
Anti-social - Harmful lies used with the intention of damaging another.
Types of Lies
People do not have to outright lie in order to deceive.
Misleading LiesA misleading lie would be when a person tells an account that isn't an out-and-out lie, but still has the deceptive purpose of making someone believe in a falsehood.
A good example of such a lie would be a women who accidentally scratches the family car while parking and when asked, states that "the neighbour's kids were playing by the car." The neighbour's kids, in truth, were playing by the car but they were not the cause of the scratches on the car.
Lying by Exclusion
Lying by exclusion can be summed up as when a person tells the truth but leaves out certain details, leading the recipient to believe and know only a specific part of the truth. It is quite often classified not as a lie but rather as an act of deception.
For example, if a teenager goes to his first class and then skips the rest of his school day. When asked by his parent "Did you skip school today?" The teenager can plainly say "I was at school today," without actually lying, since he was at school, while omitting the fact that he was not at school for the entire day. Consequently, the parent would only know that the teenager was at school, not that he was skipping most of the school day. In order to get all the facts, the parent would have to purposely examine his child further.
Lie Spotting
An introduction to spotting a liar and his lies.
Unfortunately, not everyone feels bad about being dishonest. More often than not a fabricator will have his story formulated long before actually telling it. Within their mind they have rehearsed their lie and as a result become at ease with it. Consequentially, their lie will be much harder to detect.
Therefore, do not simply look at the list of signs that is to follow and make a determination based solely on seeing one of them while your suspect is talking. Rather, try and determine if a few of the signs have occurred and in what context. With a little practice, astute observation and intellectual deduction, you may find that you get fairly good at determining when you are being deceived.
Body Language Clues
A person's body language can often offer clues as to whether they are being truthful.
- Although often stated, it bears being repeated: more often then not an individual who is lying will steer clear of making eye contact with you. However, occasionally, you may find the exact opposite with the liar never breaking eye contact.- Seldom will you see a liar touch his chest area, especially with an open hand. However, their hands often may touch their face, throat or mouth. They may also appear to have sudden itches that demand to be scratched such as on their head, nose or behind an ear.
- Body movements are frequently rigid and restricted. There will be few hand and arm movements and those that do occur will be toward the liar's own body as opposed to, outwards and open.
- Fidgeting, fiddling and playing with the hands and fingers while talking. Note: This can also be attributed to nervousness.
Verbal Clues
If you observe carefully, you may notice certain verbal clues that are indications of a possible lie.
- It is commonly known among law enforcement interrogators that a statement that contains a contraction is much more likely to be a truthful statement. For example, the statement "I didn't do that" is much more likely to be the truth than the declaration "I did not do that". In general, the application of unusual words, completely accurate grammar and/or the use of words or phrases that would typically be shortened, may suggest a scripted story rather than an ordinary conversation.
- Often a liar will do more explaining than is necessary in an attempt to back up his lie with substance. You may notice that the suspect seems to have the need to substantiate every element of their story with an extended explanation.
- You may find that when the liar is casually questioned about their story that they get noticeably defensive. You may find that they continue to repeat protests of innocence, in an attempt to get your approval of their story.
- If the liar is not working from a script, in other words, they are put on the spot, they may hesitate and/or stumble over their words while they try and come up with their story. You may find noticeable disparity between their tone of voice and facial expressions.
Tricks for Determining a Lie
After someone lies, they are often not comfortable with silence but rather want some kind of assurance that their lie was accepted as truth. If you suspect that someone is lying, do not reply to their lie and see if they look uncomfortable and/or if they add additional details to their story without prompting.
The Conundrum Technique - Simply ask one question!
If you suspect that someone is simply telling you a story when questioned about a specific matter you may want to use what is called the conundrum technique to determine if they are being truthful. It simply involves introducing a piece of evidence and seeing how the suspected liar handles it.
For example, lets say that a women suspects that her husband may not have stayed late at the office as he claims. After he states that he had to work late she might simply ask the following:
"Oh Geezz, no wonder your so late, I heard about the accident outside your office building. Was the traffic as bad as they claimed on the radio?"
Now all she has to do is wait and see how he responds. If he quickly answers that there was no accident, she has a good indication that indeed he was at the office as he claims. However, should he hesitate in his answer and/or simply agree that the traffic was terrible, she has caught him in his lie.
Lie Detector Test
Can you spot a liar? It's not as easy as waiting for someone's nose to grow, but there are certain signs that can tip you off!Test your lie detection skills now... CLICK HERE
Lie Detection Books
Never Be Lied to Again: How to Get the Truth In 5 Minutes Or Less In Any Conversation Or Situation
Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 12/02/2008) 
Detecting Lies and Deceit: The Psychology of Lying and the Implications for Professional Practice (Wiley Series in Psychology of Crime, Policing and Law)
Amazon Price: $75.00 (as of 12/02/2008)
Telling Lies: Clues to Deceit in the Marketplace, Politics, and Marriage (Revised and Updated Edition)
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 12/02/2008)
The Lost Cases of Sherlock Holmes
Find excitement and adventure in The Lost Cases of Sherlock Holmes. Play as the world famous detective to unravel 16 intriguing cases, from forgery to murder. Search 40 historic sites across London looking for clues, gathering evidence, and unlocking mini games to help further your investigation. Meet more than 100 famous characters in search of the culprit.
The Lost Cases of Sherlock Holmes
New Guestbook
BethErickson wrote...
Very interesting and useful information you have here. These tips you have might come in handy when knowing if a person is lying or not. Great lens. 5 stars! :)
Posted September 30, 2008
real_estate_hawaii wrote...
I guess there are some people who enjoy telling lies. Good lens, keep it up! :D
Posted September 29, 2008
funwithtrains wrote...
Great information! 5 stars and a favorite! Please visit my Fleischmann Trains lens.
Posted May 13, 2008
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