Most people have an idea of what a liar looks like. In this blog post, we debunk the 3 most common misconceptions about liars.
1. If someone isn’t looking you in the eye, they’re lying
THE FACTS: Eye gaze is the biggest misconception about liars. A study was conducted by over 90 scientists who examined over 5,000 people in 75 countries and what they believe about liars. The number one answer across all cultures was the (false) belief that liars will not look you in the eye. However, there have been over 30 studies that examined eye contact as a variable when lying and most of them have shown that there is no tell-tale sign when someone is being deceptive.
2. If someone is fidgeting they’re lying
THE FACTS: Shifty eyes of fidgety feet are not sure signs of lying. The person could simply be uncomfortable or nervous. In most high stakes situations where there are stakes are high, to be fidgety and nervous is quite normal. Its important to pay attention when a behavior deviates from that person’s normal behavior. When you find them start doing something they don’t normally do, that is when you need to start paying closer attention.
3. If someone touches their face or rubs their nose when they’re talking to you, they’re lying
THE FACTS: An extremely common misconception about liars if that they touch their face or rub their nose when lying. Just like fidgety hands or feet, this one isolated behavior can’t determine if someone is lying across all people in all situations.
i was always under the impression that if someone rubs there nose they are lying it psycological and a part of the brain makes there nose itch through the nerves in the base of the nostrals
Rob, just this one isolated behavior doesn’t mean that someone is lying. For some people it could mean that they are, for others it could mean nothing. What important to understand is that there is no Pinnochio- there is not one behavior that tells that someone is being deceptive.
although, one instance is not a sure fire sign i thought that there is erectile tissue in the nose witch may begin to cause an itch when deceiving someone?