Mon, May 18, 2009 - 11:06:07

Think You Can Spot A Liar?  Scientists Can.

If you’ve read our bestselling book, THE POWER OF NICE, then you already know that we think honesty is the best policy.  Whether in your professional or personal life, surrounding yourself with people you can trust to tell you the truth is an important ingredient in your recipe for success. But, it’s not always easy to sort out the truthful folks from those who are skilled in the art of deception. 

Or at least it wasn’t until now.

According to Monday’s article in the New York Times Science section, forensic scientists have discovered a SMALL way to differentiate the truth-tellers from the big fat liars.  And surprisingly, it doesn’t have anything to do with physical signs like body language, eye contact, profuse sweating, or fidgeting.  Instead, it all starts with paying close attention to one tiny but essential detail: the content of their stories.

As New York Times writer Benedict Carey explains, when it comes to deciphering a lie, it’s as much about what people don’t say as what they do.  Contrary to popular belief, liars (particularly in the case of people undergoing questioning by the authorities) leave out more details and stick to their stories perfectly.  Truthful people, on the other hand, tend to change their stories, add in extra details, and alter events as they go along.  Why?  It all has to do with the inner workings of the human brain and the ways in which memories are recalled.  In Carey’s article, Dr. Cheryl Hiscock-Anisman says of the brain, memory, and lying, “This is how memory works; by association […] If you’re telling the truth, this mental reinstatement of contexts triggers more and more external details.”  In other words: people who are telling the truth must describe a real event from memory, whereas liars have a prepared script to rely on rather than an actual memory, so their mind simply recounts a false event they have constructed.  Therefore, honest stories naturally unravel in a not-so-neat fashion.

It’s just another—albeit counterintuitive—way to watch your cues and clues.  If you think you’re being lied to, whether it’s by a coworker, a friend, or a family member, think like an investigator and really listen to their story.  Then consider this new spin on an old phrase: “Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice not to deceive!”

Posted by Linda and Robin