Thoughts on Detecting Deception

When it comes to detecting deception, the first thing to remember is this: there is no single behavior that tells you a person is lying. Hollywood has done us a disservice by suggesting that a twitch, a glance away, or a bead of sweat is the smoking gun of deceit. The reality is far more complex. Deception is extremely difficult to detect, and even seasoned professionals are only slightly better than chance at spotting it.

So, what should we look for? We look for the things that cause psychological discomfort—topics, objects, questions, or comments that make the individual uneasy. When someone is asked about an issue that can harm them, embarrass them, or place them in legal jeopardy, stress follows. That stress often manifests through the body. Lying is not only stressful—it’s hard work. The mind must invent details, suppress the truth, and manage the fear of being caught, all at the same time. That internal struggle leaks out in small but observable ways.

Here are a few areas to pay attention to during an interview or conversation when truthfulness is in question:

The Face

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that liars avoid eye contact. In fact, many deceivers do the opposite: they overcompensate, locking eyes in an unnatural way as if to prove sincerity. What is far more revealing are the fleeting facial expressions—brief flashes of fear, stress, or contempt that contradict the spoken words. These small momentary expressions, often measured in fractions of a second, betray what the person is truly feeling.

The Mouth and Lips

The mouth gives us some of the clearest signs of discomfort. Compressed lips—pressed tightly together—often betray stress. You may also see a sudden dry mouth, lip licking, notable tongue movements against the cheek, or repeated swallowing when anxiety sets in. These reactions come from the autonomic nervous system being taxed under pressure.

The Neck and Shoulders

When people feel vulnerable, they instinctively protect the neck, a very sensitive area of the body. Watch for hands rubbing or covering the neck, shoulders rising toward the ears, or the head pulled downward. These are often self-soothing behaviors. Equally telling is sudden stillness—someone animated a moment ago who suddenly freezes may be trying to control every movement for fear of betraying themselves.

The Hands

Hands reveal much about our state of mind. Truthful people usually gesture freely and in rhythm with their words. Deceptive individuals often limit their movements, keeping hands close to the body or hidden. Alternatively, you may see pacifying actions—rubbing the palms on the thighs, playing with a ring, or touching the face—as the person tries to calm their own nerves.

Context Matters

It’s critical to understand that these behaviors do not always equal lying. A nervous teenager speaking to a teacher, or an employee facing their boss, may show all of these signs while still telling the truth. The key is to establish a baseline—what is normal for this person—and then look for deviations when certain questions or topics arise. Clusters of behaviors, especially when they occur in sequence and are negatively valanced, are far more telling than a single gesture in isolation in response to a question.

In the end, what we want to focus on is this: which questions or topics generate psychological discomfort (unease), and why? The body is remarkably honest in communicating comfort versus discomfort. Words can be manipulated, but the body often reveals what the person would rather keep hidden.

For more on this subject, see What Every BODY is Saying.

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Copyright: Joe Navarro