
24 Mar DETECTING LIARS (JOE NAVARRO & MARVIN KARLINS, Ph.D.)| Part A’
DECEPTION: A TOPIC WORTHY OF STUDY We all have a stake in the truth. Soci- ety functions based on an assumption that people will abide by their word— that truth prevails over mendacity. For the most part, it does. If it didn’t, rela- tionships would have a short shelf life, commerce would cease, and trust be- tween parents and children would be destroyed. All of us depend on hon- esty, because when truth is lacking we suffer, and society suffers.
We count on our government and commercial institutions to be honest and truthful. We need and expect our friends and family to be truthful. Truth is essential for all relations be they personal, professional,
TWO PRINCIPAL NONVERBAL BEHAVIORAL PATTERNS TO CONSIDER IN DETECTING DECEPTION When it comes to body signals that alert us to the possibility of deception, you should be watching for nonverbal behaviors involving synchrony and emphasis.
Synchrony
Synchrony is impor tant, however, in assessing for decep- tion. Look for synchrony between what is being said verbally and nonverbally, between the circumstances of the mo- ment and what the subject is saying, between events and emotions, and even synchrony of time and space. When being questioned, a person answering in the affirmative should have congruent head movement that have congruent head movement that immediately supports what is said; it should not be delayed. Lack of syn- chrony is exhibited when a person states, “I did not do it,” while her head is nodding in an affirmative motion. Likewise, asynchrony is demonstrated when a man is asked, “Would you lie about this?” and his head gives a slight nod while he answers, “No.” Upon catching themselves in this faux pas, people will reverse their head movements in an attempt to do dam- age control. When asynchronous behavior is observed, it looks con- trived and pathetic. More often a mendacious statement, such as an un- truthful “I did not do it,” is followed by a noticeably delayed and less em- phatic negative head movement. These behaviors are not synchronous and therefore more likely to be equat- ed with deception because they show discomfort in their production.
Lastly, there should be synchrony between events, time, and place. A person who delays reporting a signif- icant event, such as the drowning of a friend, spouse, or child, or who travels to another jurisdiction to report the event should rightfully come under suspicion. Furthermore, the reporting of events that would have been impos- sible to observe from the person’s vantage point is asynchronous, and therefore suspect. People who lie do not consider how synchrony fits into the equation, and their nonverbals and stories will eventually fail them. Achieving synchrony is a form of com- fort and, as we have seen, plays a major role during police interviews and the reporting of crimes; but it will also set the stage for successful and meaningful conversations about all manner of serious issues in which de- tecting deceit is important. Emphasis When we speak, we naturally utilize various parts of our body—such as the eyebrows, head, hands, arms, torso, legs, and feet—to emphasize a point about which we feel deeply or emotionally. Observing emphasis is important because emphasis is uni- versal when people are being genuineEmphasis is the limbic brain’s contri- bution to communication, a way to let others know just how potently we feel. Conversely, when the limbic brain does not back up what we say, we emphasize less or not at all. For the most part, in my experience and that of others, liars do not emphasize (Lieberman, 1998, 37). Liars will en- gage their cognitive brains in order to decide what to say and how to de- ceive, but rarely do they think about the presentation of the lie. When com- pelled to lie, most people are not aware of how much emphasis or accentuation enters into everyday conversations. When liars attempt to fabricate an answer, their emphasis looks unnatural or is delayed; rarely do they emphasize where appropriate, or they choose to do so only on relatively unimportant matters. We emphasize both verbally and nonverbally. Verbally, we emphasize through voice, pitch, or tone, or through repetition. We also emphasize nonverbally, and these behaviors can be even more accurate and useful than words when attempting to detect the truth or dishonesty in a conversation or interview. People who typically use their hands while speaking punctuate their remarks with hand gestures, even going so far as pounding on a desk as they emphasize. Other individuals accentuate with the tips of the fingers by either gesturing with them or touching things. Hand behaviors com- plement honest speech, thoughts, and true sentiments (Knapp & Hall, 2002, 277–284). Raising our eyebrows (eye- brow flash) and widening our eyes are also ways of emphasizing a point (Morris, 1985, 61; Knapp & Hall, 2002, 68). Another manifestation of emphasis is seen when someone leans forward with the torso, showing interest. We employ gravity-defying gestures such as rising up on the balls of our feet when we make a significant or emo- tionally charged point. When seated, people emphasize by raising the knee (staccato-like) while highlighting important points, and added empha- sis can be shown by slapping the knee as it comes up, indicating emotional exuberance. Gravity-defying gestures are emblematic of emphasis and true sentiment, something liars rarely dis- play. In contrast, people de-emphasize or show lack of commitment to their own speech by speaking behind their
hands (talking while covering their mouths) or showing limited facial ex- pression. People control their counte- nance and engage in other movement restriction and withdrawal behaviors when they are not committed to what they are saying (Knapp & Hall, 2002, 320; Lieberman, 1998, 37). Deceptive people often show deliberative, pen- sive displays, such as fingers to the chin or stroking of cheeks, as though they are still thinking about what to say; this is in stark contrast to honest people who emphasize the point they are making. Deceptive people spend time evaluating what they say and how it is being received, which is incon- sistent with honest behavior.
Part b’ follows
What Every Body is Saying
JOE NAVARRO & MARVIN KARLINS