Does something bother you about someone’s story, but you can’t put your finger on it? Within a few minutes of conversation, certain changes in words, emotions or attitude can attract attention. But a shifty glance or a nervous gesture is not enough to unmask someone.
To spot a liar in 5 minutes, human behavior specialists recommend looking for several clues that appear together. A delayed response, an emotion that doesn’t fit with the words, unusual details or a different way of telling the facts can then make you want to dig deeper.
Spotting a liar, start with emotions and response time
The first clue may be found in the discrepancy between what a person says they feel and what their body seems to express. She says she is perfectly relaxed, but her shoulders stiffen, her voice tenses, or her demeanor suddenly changes. This emotional incongruence attracts more attention when it contrasts with the behavior observed a few moments before.
So context matters a lot. A person may be stressed because they feel judged, intimidated, or simply uncomfortable. This is not necessarily a lie. The interest of this change lies rather in its association with other elements of the story.
Another benchmark is the time it takes to respond. When a person must construct a story instead of simply remembering a situation they experienced, this activity may require more mental effort. An unusual pause before a response may then appear.
The opposite can also happen. An extremely quick response can make the release appear to have been prepared in advance. In both cases, it is not the precise duration of the silence that counts, but the difference with the usual rhythm of the conversation.
Liar’s language, watch for words and story changes
The words used can also change the perception of a story. A person who recounts an event from a greater distance from themselves may use “I” or “we” less often. This way of speaking can give the impression that she is trying to distance herself from what she is saying.
Another clue appears when details multiply without really illuminating the central point. A story can become very specific about secondary elements, while the most important part remains unclear. The accumulation of details is therefore not necessarily synonymous with a more credible story.
When a version seems strange to you, one method is to ask the person to repeat the facts later. Possibly in a different order. The story can then reveal variations: certain details change, elements appear or disappear, or the story becomes difficult to maintain.
Changing the subject can also attract attention when it occurs precisely when a sensitive question is asked. Taken alone, it does not allow us to conclude. Combined with a hesitant response, a modification of the story or an emotion that does not correspond to the words, it becomes an additional element to observe.
Body language, these gestures alone do not prove a lie
The body also provides clues, but we must avoid falling into the trap of gestures that are supposed to automatically reveal a liar. Frequently touching your face, rubbing your hands or shuffling your feet may indicate nervousness. But a person can be nervous without telling the slightest false story.
The smile is also worth observing as a whole. A smile that disappears very quickly or seems inconsistent with the rest of the face can give the impression of forced emotion. Paul Ekman’s work on facial expressions is particularly associated with the study of these emotional manifestations.
The important thing is therefore to look at the changes rather than mechanically ticking off a list of actions. A normally very expressive person who suddenly becomes stiff, answers differently, changes their vocabulary, and avoids certain questions presents a more interesting set of cues than a simple hand movement.
In five minutes, the objective is therefore not to pronounce a verdict based on a look or a tic. Rather, it’s about spotting a possible break in the usual way of speaking, reacting and telling a story, then seeing if several elements are pointing in the same direction.
Finally, in a previous True Medical article, psychologist Pascal Anger warned on a general but crucial point concerning lying. Even small, it can do damage. “As soon as a lie is detected, it automatically kills trust” he emphasized. “We can apologize, be understood, even forgiven, especially in a solid relationship. But repetition permanently weakens credibility.”
It also depends on the initial level of trust: a lie at the start of a relationship often leaves a stronger mark.