The Ultimate Body Language Book

Chapter 16 - Deception and Lie Detection
Verbal And Paraverbal Cues
At times verbal and paraverbal cues betray the liar and these are cues tied directly to the words in
which they speak. Although they fall outside the realm of body language at large, they do complete this
chapter with regards to cues associated with deception which is why they have been included. These
cues are, as always, related to the stress of fibbing so can be confused with nervousness of any other
source. Some however are the direct consequences of lying such as the telling of an implausible story
or using more negative comments or statements, which has been shown to increase during lying.
Here are the cues to deception as they relate to our verbal dialogue: Vocal tension, hectic speech,
faltering speech, improper structure or grammar, implausible story, inconsistent story, superfluous
details, describing feelings rather than events such as “I felt this way when I did this” or “I must have
felt this way because of this” etc, adding qualifying statement such as “This is what I am about to say”
then saying it, word or phrase repetition, using less contractions saying “I did not” instead of “I didn’t”,
using the persons name in sentences instead of saying “he” or “she”, for example “Bill went to the
store” rather than “He went to the store”, the use of clichés, blocking access to information, evasive
responses or desire to change the subject, speech is less compelling, less personal and with less or too
much detail, expressing self doubt, negative complaints or statements, defensiveness or aggressiveness,
changes in pitch (high low or monotone), shaky or soft voice, stuttering, false starts, silent pauses,
filled pauses, delayed response, appearing to be thinking, admitted lack of memory, tentative
construction of sentences, clearing the throat and spontaneous corrections.
Chapter 16 - Deception and Lie Detection
Nervous Body Language – The ‘Other’ Cues
As we know nervousness plays a big part in lie detection so we habitually connect the two sentiments.
Therefore, by this nature, we assume that any of the following could be associated with dishonesty.
Here is a nearly comprehensive list of all cues that could be tied to lying or else associated with lying
from the general public. While they don’t necessarily uncover a liar they will be tied to dishonesty and
persons that perform these cues will be mistrusted. They include increased eye blink rate, stuttering,
dilated pupils, fidgeting, appearing unfriendly or tense, facial fidgeting, shaking, postural shifts or
unrelaxed/reserved postures, twitches, shrugs, head movements, playing with objects, sneering,
scowling, frowning, smiling, biting the lower lip, pressing the lips together, wrinkling of the nose,
increase in perspiration, blushing or turning pale and increased swallowing.
Chapter 16 - Deception and Lie Detection
fMRI In Lie Detection
Machines That Detect Lies – When All Else Fails Bring In The Machines
fMRI is the abbreviation for functional magnetic resonance imaging which enables researchers to
create maps of the brain’s networks as it processes thoughts, sensations, memories, and motor