Some people say so much without saying anything at all.
It’s in the dart of their eyes, the way they fidget, or how their smile doesn’t quite reach their eyes. Body language is like a cheat sheet for understanding what someone might not want to admit.
And when it comes to honesty? That’s where it gets really interesting.
Some people can lie with a straight face, but their bodies often betray them. The little tells are there if you know what to look for.
So, how do you spot dishonesty without turning into Sherlock Holmes? Psychology has uncovered eight subtle signs that can give you a glimpse behind the curtain. Let’s take a closer look.
Eye contact is a powerful tool in human communication.
When people are being honest, they are typically more comfortable maintaining eye contact. It shows confidence in what they’re saying.
However, when someone is not telling the truth, they might find it difficult to hold your gaze. Their eyes might dart around or they may stare at something else entirely.
This is because lying often comes with a sense of guilt or discomfort, which makes it tough to sustain eye contact.
Think about the difference between someone who is open and engaging compared to someone who seems closed off.
According to psychology, when we’re not being truthful, we’re more likely to adopt defensive body language.
This can mean crossing arms, avoiding direct physical contact, or turning our body away from the person we’re speaking to. It’s a way of creating a physical barrier to match our emotional unease.
I remember once having a conversation with a friend who had borrowed my book and misplaced it. When I asked him about it, he immediately crossed his arms and turned slightly away from me.
His body language was instantly defensive and it made me suspicious. Sure enough, later he admitted that he’d lost the book and had been afraid to tell me.
When someone is being dishonest, they may unconsciously touch their face more often.
This could be a rub of the nose, a scratch of the cheek, or even covering the mouth.
This behavior dates back to our earliest days as humans. Touching our faces is a self-soothing behavior that helps to relieve stress or discomfort.
When we lie, we often feel uncomfortable and our body reacts by trying to soothe itself.
It’s not just what people say, but how they say it that can give away their honesty.
When someone is being dishonest, their speech patterns might change.
They may stutter, pause more often, or even speak more quickly. This is because lying requires more mental effort than telling the truth, and that strain can show up in our speech.
For instance, they might repeat certain phrases or take longer to answer questions as they try to construct their story.
The next time you’re trying to gauge someone’s honesty, pay attention to not just the content of their words, but also how they’re speaking them. It could provide valuable clues about their truthfulness.
Ever had someone tell you a story and it just seems like they’re going into too much detail?
When people lie, they often feel the need to convince the other person that they’re telling the truth.
This can lead to them offering more information than necessary. They might include lots of irrelevant details or go off on tangents, in an attempt to make their story seem more believable.
I’ve experienced this in my own life when trying to navigate tricky conversations with loved ones.
Sometimes, when they’re not being completely honest, I notice that their explanations become overly complex and filled with unnecessary details.
It’s as if they’re trying too hard to convince me of their truth.
One of the most telling signs of dishonesty can be a mismatch between someone’s words and their facial expressions.
For example, they might say they’re happy about something, but their face tells a different story.
They may have a forced smile, or their eyes might not show the same joy that their words are expressing. This incongruity could indicate that they’re not being honest about their feelings.
I recall a time when I was asked about how I felt about a change at my workplace. I said I was excited, but my smile didn’t reach my eyes and I could feel the tension in my face.
Deep down, I was anxious about the change but didn’t want to show it.
Always pay attention to these little mismatches. They can often reveal more than the words themselves.
When someone is being dishonest, they might become overly defensive when questioned. This could be a sign that they’re trying to protect their lie.
If you ask for more information or clarification and they react with hostility or defensiveness, it could be a red flag.
They might accuse you of not trusting them or get angry to divert attention from their dishonesty.
You may not realize it, but the rate at which someone blinks can offer insight into their honesty.
Research has shown that people often blink more frequently when they’re being dishonest. This could be due to the increased mental effort required to lie, which leads to more blinking.
Keep an eye on the blink rate when you’re trying to assess someone’s honesty. It might provide a valuable piece of the puzzle.
You know, spotting dishonesty doesn’t require turning every conversation into an interrogation.
It’s as simple as being present enough to notice the details—those tiny cracks in someone’s façade that hint at a deeper truth.
Maybe it’s the way their voice shifts, or how they blink just a little too often.
But here’s the thing: these signs aren’t definitive proof. People are messy, complex, and beautifully flawed, and sometimes their quirks aren’t lies—they’re just human.
So, the next time you’re trying to read between the lines, remember to balance observation with understanding.
Pay attention, but don’t forget to ask questions and truly listen.
Because more often than not, the truth isn’t hiding—it’s waiting for you to meet it halfway.
The post 8 body language clues that reveal someone isn’t very honest (according to psychology) appeared first on Small Business Bonfire.
—
Blog powered by G6
Disclaimer! A guest author has made this post. G6 has not checked the post. its content and attachments and under no circumstances will G6 be held responsible or liable in any way for any claims, damages, losses, expenses, costs or liabilities whatsoever (including, without limitation, any direct or indirect damages for loss of profits, business interruption or loss of information) resulting or arising directly or indirectly from your use of or inability to use this website or any websites linked to it, or from your reliance on the information and material on this website, even if the G6 has been advised of the possibility of such damages in advance.
For any inquiries, please contact [email protected]
