The human body leaks truth even when words try to conceal it.
Detecting deception quickly relies on observing involuntary reactions that most people can’t fake convincingly.
Research from the University of Michigan found that liars often touch their faces more, especially their noses—a phenomenon linked to increased blood pressure causing slight itching.
This “Pinocchio effect” was confirmed in thermal imaging studies published in Legal and Criminological Psychology.
Feet and leg movements can also betray dishonesty, as they’re less controlled than facial expressions.
The Journal of Forensic Sciences reported that fidgeting, shifting weight, or pointing feet toward an exit often signals discomfort with lying.
Genuine smiles engage the eyes, creating crow’s feet, while fake ones only involve the mouth. A PLOS ONE study analyzed thousands of expressions and found that asymmetrical smiles are a strong indicator of deception.
Liars sometimes over-explain with unnecessary details to sound convincing. The Harvard Business Review highlights that unnatural verbosity often masks a lack of truthful substance in stories.
While no single gesture guarantees a lie, rapid recognition of these signs can sharpen intuition.
Trusting gut feelings, backed by science, makes it easier to see beyond words and into the truth.
Author: Belnovosti