How can you tell when someone is lying?

Answer 1

In writing, or in person? There are several different ways to tell when someone is being dishonest, but it has to be a combination of several things, as one or two isolated things could just mean that the person was nervous.

In person, Normally it's eye contact, and eye movement, body language, voice inflections, and abstract behaviour that is contrary to the norm for the individual. There are other things to add to this as well, but, as i said, it's got to be a combination. You don't want to accuse someone of lying if he/she was just nervous. AND you don't want to pass it off as nerveousness when the person is lying.

In writing, there are other signs to indicate falsehood; mostly speaking in the 3rd person, putting distance between themselves and the story. Not using first person, as in, i me he she they etc, And the details are often exaggerated beyond the norm. BUT, writers often do that, so you have to take other signs along with that. And not just assume that because someone is writing from a narrator's perspective that they are lying. Also, the absence of complex thought and conjuctions is a sign of a liar. [Also, in parallel, there are certain words, that a person will NOT use when they are lying. < but i forget what they are though, i am sorry> but it is an automatic response, so a liar will not remember to use these words when telling their story, whereas when someone is telling the truth, the person will use them without thinking about it.> ]

If it's over the phone, you would apply voice inflection, tone, whether they were speaking in the 1st or 3rd person and re-questioning the person on the same issue, as you cannot see their face.

*edit* just because someone is talking a lot doesnt mean they are lying. It could be their personality, or nerves. The behaviour must be contrary to the norm for them. IF the person is usually quiet, but is talking a lot; OR if they talk a lot normally, and are suddenly quiet, that's usually an indication.
But as i said, you must take more than just one sign into consideration.

*also* just because someone says, 'ummmmmm' a lot before they answer does not indicate a lie. As i mentioned, there must be several signs. Perhaps the person is forgetful. or thinking. To determine, you must rephrase the question several different ways to see if they answer it the same way.

I fidgit tons when i am nervous, but i dont lie!

ALSO: Just because You know all of this, does not mean that you could try not to lie. I've seen people do this! They might remember to one or two things and like, force/regulate their breathing or remember not to look away when talking, [but sometimes Too MUCH eye contact is a sign of a liar] but other responses will give it away. Some people are great at lying, but there is always a way to tell. As the responses are automatic, i.e., your brains way of doing things. Even if you could study what i wrote and try to remember some signs, there would be others to give it away!. But, As i said, it's a combination of things, not just one isolated issue, and the responses are automatic.

There are other key signs, but i forget them. Hope this helped you out some. ♥

*EDIT* oh yes, and if by any means possible, ask them the same question like a week or more later. A liar will deviate from the original story, as a liar can never remember the lies they tell. ROFL Seriously, having this knowledge, along with instinct, has protected me from some very [possibly] bad people! or atleast from those with perhaps malevolant intentions. If someone is lying to you, you never know what they plan to do! LOL and, the same principle also applies to why i trust some people incredibly. ♥

Answer 2

On the net it is harder to tell if someone is lying, but I can usually tell by the way they word their typing.
In real life I can tell if they don't look you directly in the eye as well as sounding and acting like they have ants in their pants etc.

Answer 3

I can't always tell, unless I know already that what they are saying is a lie or they are doing some of the obvious things already mentioned. I just have to trust that people are being honest. And though I have been disappointed, it hasn't been all that often.

Answer 4

sometimes

by the way the eye thing dont work i can look in someones eyes when im lying and no i dont lie alot

Answer 5

Sometimes you can't no matter what...

What you can do?
You ask about the "lie" some days or weeks later and see if the story changes.

Most people lie so much that they don't remember all the crap they dished out.

Answer 6

They don't look you in the eye and they keep looking downwards to the left!! Also, they will put far too much detail into thier story!!

Answer 7

If you know them well enough you can tell by body language...usually one thing is that liars have a tendency to give out lots of information when asked a simple question. ...like they are trying to overcompensate.

Answer 8

They never look directly at you. Their eyes tend to wander to the left when they're talking, and move to the right when they're remembering something.

Answer 9

by the look in their eye, you can just tell!
There are some books that teach you these skills, im sure you could find them at your local library!

good luck
good question, il star you!

Answer 10

When their eyes keep shifting down and to the left.