Body Language And Lies: 21 Signs For Detecting A Liar.

From: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/272174_body-language-and-lies-21-signs-for-detecting-a-liar

A look at 21 common verbal and body language signs that betray a liar.

Wouldn't you love to be able to detect a liar? Lies are usually easy to spot when you know what signs to look for. A liar betrays him or herself in a number of ways with verbal and body language. By watching for certain body language and by listening for specific spoken signs while a liar tells a tale, you'll be wise to it in no time.

As a disclaimer, none of the verbal and body language signs herein are proof that lies are being told. Verbal and body language can provide signs that you're dealing with a liar, but every listed quirk of verbal and body language also surface in other situations. However, if you suspect you're hearing lies, one of these signs can bolster your doubt; two or more signs can make you confident you're interacting with a liar. Conversely, a lack of these tangible signs doesn't mean the truth is being told. Practiced or gifted liars can flawlessly conceal lies.

21 COMMON VERBAL AND BODY LANGUAGE SIGNS OF A LIAR

1 - Everybody knows a liar avoids eye contact. Even the liar. So, just as often as eye contact is avoided during the telling of lies, a liar often makes prolonged eye contact. The body language can go the traditional way, or the liar may overcompensate to the other extreme when trying to hide the lies.

2 - A liar often subconsciously seeks a symbolic buffer between him or herself and the person being lied to. One of the more prominent body language signs, this usually takes the form of a liar absent-mindedly placing an object between him or herself and the other person.

3 - When someone's body language assumes a defensive position, it can indicate lies. Most commonly, a liar folds his or her arms or legs. A small step or two backwards falls into this category of defensive signs as well.

4 - Lies are easiest to tell when they're not told, per se. Evasive answers and statements (i.e., "Why would I do that?") can indicate the truth is being avoided by a frightened liar. Similarly, incredulous repetition of accusatory questions in lieu of responses can also point to forthcoming lies.

5 - Watch for body language indicating a dry mouth. Commonly, the signs are frequent lip licking, swallowing, or sipping a beverage.

6 - Silence is uncomfortable to a liar. It provides opportunity for the other person to think and detect the lies. A liar tries to fill all pauses, often resulting in pointless or odd conversation and non-sequiturs, both telling signs to look for.

7 - Reserved or stiff body language, as if to avoid drawing attention, is a key sign of lies. Often the liar holds his or her arms, legs, and head rigid. This can even be looked at as a lack of body language.

8 - A liar gestures and makes expressions deliberately to make lies convincing. With attention to body language, you may notice gestures and expressions are slightly misaligned with the statements. If body language doesn't flow naturally with verbal language, it's being forced--probably for a reason. Such signs also include expressions that appear inauthentic (like a fake smile, notable because it doesn't narrow the eyes or wrinkle facial skin as authentic smiles do).

9 - Lies require thought and attention to detail, especially when told on the spot. Body language indicating excessive thought processes (you can "see the gears turning") can be a telling body language sign of a liar. Also, when someone is trying to recall something that happened, they usually gaze upward; conversely, when someone is pretending to recall something, they usually gaze downward.

10 - One of the more visible signs of lies is sweat. Most commonly, a liar sweats on the forehead and palms. Forehead sweat is the easier to spot. However, watch for body language signs of sweat too: wiping the brow or drying hands on pants, a tablecloth, etc.

11 - Two signs of an adrenaline rush can be indicative of lies. While sweat falls under this category, the two key signs to watch for are a flushed face and dilating pupils. Both together should raise suspicion that you're dealing with a liar.

12 - Excessive gestures are important body language signs indicating lies. In a subconscious effort to enhance believability, a liar emphasizes words with unnaturally pronounced gesturing. Also on a subconscious level, the body language serves to divert attention from the dishonest words and face.

13 - Body language signs indicating nervousness are key to detecting lies. A liar often fidgets. This includes drumming fingers, biting or picking at fingernails, biting lips, twirling hair, and picking at or adjusting clothing. There are too many signs to list, but any similar body language can be taken as signs of lies.

14 - A liar frequently mumbles or speaks in a lowered, monotonous tone, especially at the exact time lies are being uttered. Such modulations in speech are signs that the liar lacks confidence that the lies are believable, or that the liar feels guilty about telling the lies. From a body language standpoint, these signs are often accompanied by a lowered head and slouching shoulders.

15 - Shifting from foot to foot is often the body language of a liar. Similarly, a liar doesn't always keep his or her feet flat on the ground (whether standing or sitting). This falls under signs of the "flight instinct" category, which stems from fear or discomfort--both emotions triggered by telling lies.

16 - A liar usually tries to change the subject from whatever discussion is prompting the lies. Any conversational signs of this desire to move on before the subject is resolved should make you wary of lies.

17 - When you suspect lies, try changing the subject suddenly. Watch for a noticeable, immediate change in the body language of the suspected liar. If the person becomes more relaxed and comfortable, you've just witnessed a telling sign of a liar.

18 - When you notice someone keeping their body somewhat askew, pointed away from you, it may be a body language sign that lies are being told. It's debatable why a liar does this--it could be guilt, a flight instinct, facilitating a lack of eye contact, or any number of other subconscious body language workings.

19 - A liar frequently interrupts lies with throat clearing, small coughs, or sniffles.

20 - Body language that almost seems to be trying to literally conceal lies is often just that. Most often, a liar somehow covers his or her mouth and throat. This can mean touching these parts or holding something up in front of them. Touching other parts of the face is also consistent with the behavior of a liar.

21 - Beware people who use (and overuse) language like "honestly," "believe me," "to tell the truth," etc. They are almost certainly being deceptive.

Watching for these body language signs of a liar can make you incredibly difficult to lie to. With practice, you'll begin to notice them automatically, and detecting a liar will come naturally.