Body Language--Our Natural Lie Detector

ou know that only about 7% of humanup with that.
communication is verbal? I find that ratherThis brings me to my reason of interest in body
interesting considering all of the talking that welanguage. We can learn to read and interpret body
humans do. After learning this I wondered whatlanguage and actually pick out the fibbers of the
the remaining 93% of our communicationpack. I don't care too much for liars as I'm sure
consisted of then.most of you don't either. My research has bought
Aside from our written communication, our majorme some valuable information.
means of communication is body language. It'sA person may be trying to deceive you if they
hard to believe really, but if you think about it, itlook up and to the right when answering your
does make sense. Giving a speech, going on aquestion. The direction of someone's eye
date, interrogating a suspect, or even a debatemovement tell us a lot about what is going on in
are all fine examples of the use of body language.their head. When we look up and to the right, we
Body language and what it says can make orare visually constructing an image, When we look
break you when you're interviewing for a job andup and to the left, we are visually remembering
trying to make a good impression.an image South paws are the exact opposite,
Body language is often subconscious by both theright=remembering and left=constructing. Avoiding
initiator and the interpreter and usually goeseye contact altogether, turning their body away
unnoticed on a conscious level by both. We mayfrom you, covering parts of the face or crossing
have a sense that someone is lying...or there istheir leg with the ankle of one leg resting on the
something about that person but you just can'tknee of the other leg are usually red flags of
put your finger on it. But, for the most part wepossible deceit.
are unaware of the body language that caused usWhen trying to distinguish if a person is lying to
to have that "sense".you it will often take more than a crossed leg to
All of the following body movements bring abe certain. You're final determination will depend
meaning to mind. As you can see each of theseon the question asked, the situation and noticeable
examples can be interpreted differently. Themixed signals.
situation that surrounds the instance is just as"Do you like go carting?" This is a simple question
important as how we interpret.right? Either you do...or you don't. Well, if you've
* Roll of the eyes...showing disgust or lack ofnever go carted, you may look up and to the
belief.right in an effort to visually construct you and go
* Toss of the head or hair...better than orcarting. However, if you have experienced the
depending on the setting can mean flirting.rush of go carting, you will look up and to the left
* Twisting hair...this one is definitely flirting oras you visually remember you and the rush of
showing interest in another.the go cart. Neither of these examples would be
* covering mouth...expressing secretiveness orconsidered deceitful. If the non go carter comes
embarrassment or deceit.back with the answer "yes, I like go carting." that
* Tugging on earlobe...lost in thought.isn't necessarily a lie either. They may like go
* Shrug of the shoulders...don't know and don'tcarting even if they have never been.
really care.As you can see we humans aren't simple by any
Since body language is normally a subconsciousstretch of the imagination. Factor in the fibbers
act, it can't be "lied" or faked. Our subconsciousthat may try and fudge their body language and it
mind is unable to lie. If you want to know thegets even harrier to interpret body language.
truth and nothing but the truth, read the body.Nonetheless this is an intriguing topic and one that
Sure, there are those who exaggerate bodydeserves some studying and practice. Learning to
language and those who try to control bodyread and interpret body language can open up a
language but it's mostly a lost cause sincewhole new world of communication and
eventually the truth will be told. Body languageunderstanding.
doesn't rest, it's constant and nobody can keep