25 Mar DETECTING LIARS (JOE NAVARRO & MARVIN KARLINS, Ph.D.)| Part B’
SPECIFIC NONVERBAL BEHAVIORS TO CONSIDER IN DETECTING DECEPTION
As Aldert Vrij and others have reported, lack of arm movement and lack of emphasis are suggestive of deception. The problem is there is no way of mea- suring this, especially in a public or social setting. Nevertheless, strive to note when it occurs and in what context, especially if it comes after a significant topic is brought up (Vrij, 2003, 25–27). Any sudden change in movement re- flects brain activity. When arms shift from being animated to being still, there must be a reason, be it dejection or (possibly) deception. In my own interviewing experiences, I have noticed that liars will tend to dis- play less steepling. I also look for the white knuckles of the individual who grabs the chair armrest in a fixed manner as though in an “ejector seat.” Un- fortunately, for this uncomfortable person, ejection from the discussion is often impossible. Many criminal investigators have found that when the head, neck, arms, and legs are held in place with little movement and the hands and arms are clutching the armrest, such behavior is very much consistent with those who are about to deceive, but again, it is not definitive (Schafer & Navar- ro, 2003, 66) (see figure 88). Interestingly, as individuals make declarative statements that are false, they will avoid touching not only other people, but objects such as a podium or table as well. I have never seen or heard a person who is lying yell affirmatively, “I didn’t do it,” while pounding his fist on the table. Usually what I have seen are very weak, nonemphatic statements, with gestures that are equally mild. People who are being deceptive lack commitment and confidence in what they are saying. Although their thinking brain (neocortex) will decide what to say in order to mislead, their emotive brain (the limbic system—the honest part of the brain) simply will not be committed to the ruse, and therefore will not emphasize their statements using nonverbal behaviors (such as gestures). The sentiments of the limbic brain are hard to override. Try to smile fully at some- one you dislike. It is extremely difficult to do. As with a false or fake smile, false statements come with weak or passive nonverbals
Sitting for long periods in a chair, as though flash frozen in an ejector seat, is evidence of high stress and discomfort. The Rogatory Position When a person places his outstretched arms in front of his body, with palms up, this is known as the rogatory (or “prayerful”) display (see figure 89). Those who worship will turn their palms up to God to ask for mercy. Likewise, cap- tured soldiers will turn up their palms as they approach their captors. This behavior is also seen in individuals who say something when they want you to believe them. During a discussion, observe the person with whom you are speaking. When she makes a declarative statement, note whether her hands are palm up or palm down. During regular conversation in which ideas are being discussed and neither party is vehemently committed to a particular point, I ex- pect to see both palm-up and palm-down displays.
Fig. 89 The palms-up or “rogatory” position usually indicates the person wants to be believed or wants to be accepted. It is not a dominant, confident display. However, when a person is making a passionate and assertive declaration such as, “You have to believe me, I did not kill her,” those hands should be face down (see figure 90). If the statement is made palms up, the individual supplicating to be believed, I would find such a statement highly suspect. While this is not definitive, I would question any declarative statement made with the palms up. The palm-up position is not very affirmative and suggests that the person is asking to be believed. The truthful don’t have to plead to be believed; they make a statement and it stands.
Statements made palm down are more emphatic and more confident than statements made with hands palm up in the rogatory position. Territorial Displays and Deception When we are confident and comfortable, we spread out. When we are less se- cure, we tend to take up less space. In extreme circumstances, distressed peo- ple may fold their arms and legs into their own body, assuming an almost fetal position. Uncomfortable conversations and interviews can evoke a variety of withdrawn postures: arms that are intertwined like a pretzel and/or ankles that are locked in place, sometimes to the point of being almost painful to the ob- server. Look especially for dramatic changes in body position that could be in- dicative of deception, particularly when they occur concurrently with a specific change of topic. When we are confident about what we believe or what we are saying, we tend to sit up, with shoulders and back wide, exhibiting an erect posture indicative of security. When people are being deceitful or are outright lying, they subcon- sciously tend to stoop or sink into the furniture as if they are attempting to es- cape what is being said—even if they, themselves, are saying it. Those who are insecure, or are unsure of themselves, their thoughts, or their beliefs, are likely.
to reflect this in their posture—usually by stooping slightly, but sometimes dramatically by lowering their heads and drawing the shoulders up to the ears. Look for this “turtle effect” whenever people are uncomfortable and are trying to hide in the open. It is definitely a display of insecurity and discomfort. Shoulder Shrugs Although we all shrug at one time or another when we are not sure of some- thing, liars will give a modified shrug when they are unsure of themselves. The liar’s shrug is abnormal in that it is abridged and customized because the per- son manifesting it is not fully committed to what is being expressed. If only one shoulder comes up, or if the shoulders rise nearly to the ears and the per- son’s head seems to disappear, it is a sign of high discomfort and sometimes seen in an individual preparing to answer a question deceptively.
Part A’: https://www.lecturesbureau.gr/1/detecting-liars-part-a-2513a/?lang=en
What Every Body is Saying
JOE NAVARRO & MARVIN KARLINS
