Body Language — Our Natural Lie Detector
Did you know that only about 7% of human communication is verbal? I find that rather interesting considering all of the talking that we humans do. After learning this I wondered what the remaining 93% of our communication consisted of then.
Aside from our written communication, our major means of communication is body language. It’s hard to believe really, but if you think about it, it does make sense. Giving a speech, going on a date, interrogating a suspect, or even a debate are all fine examples of the use of body language. Body language and what it says can make or break you when you’re interviewing for a job and trying to make a good impression.
Body language is often subconscious by both the initiator and the interpreter and usually goes unnoticed on a conscious level by both. We may have a sense that someone is lying…or there is something about that person but you just can’t put your finger on it. But, for the most part we are unaware of the body language that caused us to have that “sense”.
All of the following body movements bring a meaning to mind. As you can see each of these examples can be interpreted differently. The situation that surrounds the instance is just as important as how we interpret.
* Roll of the eyes…showing disgust or lack of belief.
* Toss of the head or hair…better than or depending on the setting can mean flirting.
* Twisting hair…this one is definitely flirting or showing interest in another.
* covering mouth…expressing secretiveness or embarrassment or deceit.
* Tugging on earlobe…lost in thought.
* Shrug of the shoulders…don’t know and don’t really care.
Since body language is normally a subconscious act, it can’t be “lied” or faked. Our subconscious mind is unable to lie. If you want to know the truth and nothing but the truth, read the body.
Sure, there are those who exaggerate body language and those who try to control body language but it’s mostly a lost cause since eventually the truth will be told. Body language doesn’t rest, it’s constant and nobody can keep up with that.
This brings me to my reason of interest in body language. We can learn to read and interpret body language and actually pick out the fibbers of the pack. I don’t care too much for liars as I’m sure most of you don’t either. My research has bought me some valuable information.
A person may be trying to deceive you if they look up and to the right when answering your question. The direction of someone’s eye movement tell us a lot about what is going on in their head. When we look up and to the right, we are visually constructing an image, When we look up and to the left, we are visually remembering an image South paws are the exact opposite, right=remembering and left=constructing. Avoiding eye contact altogether, turning their body away from you, covering parts of the face or crossing their leg with the ankle of one leg resting on the knee of the other leg are usually red flags of possible deceit.
When trying to distinguish if a person is lying to you it will often take more than a crossed leg to be certain. You’re final determination will depend on the question asked, the situation and noticeable mixed signals.
“Do you like go carting?” This is a simple question right? Either you do…or you don’t. Well, if you’ve never go carted, you may look up and to the right in an effort to visually construct you and go carting. However, if you have experienced the rush of go carting, you will look up and to the left as you visually remember you and the rush of the go cart. Neither of these examples would be considered deceitful. If the non go carter comes back with the answer “yes, I like go carting.” that isn’t necessarily a lie either. They may like go carting even if they have never been.
As you can see we humans aren’t simple by any stretch of the imagination. Factor in the fibbers that may try and fudge their body language and it gets even harrier to interpret body language.
Nonetheless this is an intriguing topic and one that deserves some studying and practice. Learning to read and interpret body language can open up a whole new world of communication and understanding.
About the Author:
Cheryl Burns mans her own website at http://www.be-your-own-net-detective.com, a website dedicated to helping surfers find what they’re looking for on the web without having to pay for it. It also features a directory of detectives and information on becoming a detective for each state.