Far From Truth: Most People Think They Are Very Good At Lie Detecting
Most people think they are very good lie detectors but that is wishful thinking and so far from reality.
Humans as lie spotters
Most people think they are good lie detectors. That is wishful thinking and so far from reality. Learn, why this is risky for your decision-making.
Wishful thinking: Lies are rarely recognized
Most people think that they are very good lie detectors, but that is wishful thinking and so far from reality.
Some people are indeed lie detectors by nature, without special training. But these are rare exceptions. Of course, we are much better at telling lies than at recognizing them. We have much more practice in that. Without special training, most people, even those in professions where the uncovering of lies is critical, achieve a mediocre lie detection rate.
With specific knowledge and practice, people can achieve a pretty good lie detection rate. The more you train, the more accurate your lie detection skills will become. Especially, the observation of microexpressions needs a lot of time to improve. But you don’t want to practice it all the time. You need to know when to turn it on. This will make you more concentrated if you use these abilities.
With familiar people, it is particularly difficult to recognize lies
If we know a person well, we believe we will be able to see the treacherous signs. The truth is that lie detection is made more difficult because the natural attitude for humans is to believe the people they are emotionally close to.
Yes, most people believe that they can tell whether their partner, child, or close friend is lying to them. However, this is rarely the case because there are two main factors: Overconfidence and closeness. These two factors lead to a loss of objectivity that prevents a loved one from seeing otherwise obvious signs of deception.
Body language
What’s said can’t always be checked in lie detection. Much more critical is how things are said and how a person behaves in communication. The non-verbal cues of our body language say more than most of us realize. Relying only on what is said is inherently unreliable. Accurate lie recognition is based on a combination of what you are told and what you observe. Congruence plays a particularly important role here.
Assess your ability to recognize lies realistically. This can help you to make better decisions. Especially when your gut gives you a signal to stay alert. Don’t reject it!
Be ready for important conversations and negotiations
Communication can be easy. But often it is not. Sometimes we say one thing and then realize later, based on the other person's reaction, that they were talking to someone else. With the best will in the world, I didn't say that. - Or did I?
More or less consciously, conversations are about convincing other people of something - be it a special offer, your personality, a perspective, or a necessity. If this doesn't happen quickly enough, and above all, if it isn't precise and vivid, the other person quickly loses interest, and we lose the hoped-for opportunity. - The conversation has failed.
You can let me help you prepare for your meetings and negotiations (to be on the safe side: no legal advice!). Find out how you and your message are perceived (arguments, body language, language, voice, and much more). I will train you in effective tools and communication strategies. Develop your psychological skills, learn to stay calm, act confidently, remain authentic, and ultimately convince.
Just ask me personally
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Frequently asked questions
What is a microexpression?
Micro expressions are a very brief, involuntary facial expressions humans make when experiencing an emotion. They usually last 0.5 to 4.0 seconds and cannot be faked
Can you read emotions from faces?
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This article is a short excerpt from the more comprehensive course materials my clients receive in a group or individual training or coaching.
Published: June 21, 2001
Author: Karsten Noack
Revision: August 20th, 2023
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