10 body language cues that suggest someone is being dishonest, according to psychology

As humans, we’re often better at reading each other than we give ourselves credit for. Our instincts can pick up on small cues that suggest someone might not be telling the whole truth.

However, wouldn’t it be great to have a more concrete, psychological understanding of these cues? To know the tell-tale signs of dishonesty, and not just rely on that gut feeling?

Well, that’s exactly what we’re going to dig into. We’ll be exploring 10 body language cues, backed by psychology, that may indicate someone is bending the truth.

Tuning into these subtle signals can not only guide us in our interactions with others, but also help us become more mindful of our own communication and the energy we project.

So let’s get started. It’s time to sharpen your human lie detector skills.

1) Averted eye contact

One of the most commonly known body language cues is averted eye contact.

We’ve all heard it: “If they won’t look you in the eye, they’re probably lying.”

While this isn’t always true (some people might avoid eye contact due to shyness or anxiety), it’s a cue worth noting.

People often avoid eye contact when they’re trying to hide something.

This is because looking someone in the eye while lying can create feelings of guilt and discomfort.

If someone’s eyes are darting around or they’re avoiding your gaze, it might be a sign that they’re not being entirely truthful.

But remember, every situation and person is different. It’s important not to jump to conclusions based on one single cue.

2) Fidgeting and restlessness

I remember once having a conversation with a colleague who seemed unusually fidgety.

He was tapping his foot, playing with his pen, and shifting in his seat. It seemed like he was uncomfortable with our discussion.

Later, I found out he hadn’t been entirely honest about a project deadline. His restless behavior was a subconscious reaction to the discomfort of being dishonest.

When we’re engaged in a behavior that feels threatening, like lying, our brain might respond by making us feel physically uncomfortable.

This can manifest as fidgeting or restlessness.

Again, it’s crucial not to jump to conclusions based on this one sign.

But if someone seems unusually anxious or fidgety during a conversation, it might be worth paying closer attention to what they’re saying.

3) Inconsistent facial expressions

There’s nothing quite as unsettling as talking to someone whose words say one thing, but their face says another. It’s a clear sign that something’s off.

I’ve had interactions where someone was saying they were fine with a decision, but their face was pinched and their smile didn’t reach their eyes.

Later, it turned out they weren’t okay with it at all.

Dr. Paul Ekman, the psychologist renowned for his study of emotions and their relation to facial expressions, has said: “Smiles are probably the most underrated facial expressions.”

A forced smile or one that doesn’t match the emotion in someone’s eyes could be a sign of dishonesty.

It’s worth paying attention to these subtle mismatches between verbal and non-verbal communication.

But remember, as with all these cues, it’s essential not to make snap judgments. Use these signs as an invitation to dig deeper and ask more questions.

4) Rapid blinking

I recall a time when a friend was telling me a story and their blinking rate seemed to skyrocket during a particular part.

It was as if they couldn’t keep their eyes still. Later, it was revealed that the part of the story was fabricated.

Research suggests that people blink more frequently when they’re under stress. And what’s more stressful than trying to spin a web of deceit?

Rapid blinking might be an unconscious reaction to the stress of lying. But keep in mind, it’s just one potential sign.

Always consider the context and combine it with other cues before drawing conclusions.

5) Overly maintaining eye contact

This might seem counterintuitive given our initial point about averted eye contact.

But here’s the thing: sometimes, people who are lying actually maintain eye contact for too long.

I’ve had conversations where the other person’s gaze felt almost unblinking. It was as if they were trying too hard to appear honest, which in itself can be a red flag.

Remember, while lack of eye contact can be a sign of dishonesty, so can an overabundance of it.

It’s all about what feels natural and congruent with the conversation versus what feels forced and excessive.

6) Touching or covering the mouth

This is a subtle cue, but one that’s backed by psychology.

When someone touches or covers their mouth while speaking, it could be an unconscious indication of dishonesty.

It’s as if unconsciously, the person lying wants to prevent the deceit from slipping out.

But remember, this isn’t a surefire sign. It can also be a habit or reaction to nervousness.

Always consider other cues and the context of the conversation before drawing conclusions.

7) Excessive sweating

We’ve all seen it in the movies, right? The character who starts sweating bullets when they’re not telling the truth.

Well, there’s some truth to that.

In personal experiences, I’ve noticed people often start to sweat when they’re uncomfortable or nervous – and lying can certainly trigger those feelings.

However, remember not to jump to conclusions.

Some people may sweat more due to medical conditions or anxiety.

Always consider the overall context and other body language cues.

8) Unnatural body movements

Ever had a conversation with someone who seemed to be moving in a way that felt unnatural?

Like they were forcing their gestures or their movements were just a little too rigid?

I’ve experienced this in heated conversations where someone was trying hard to convince me of something that later turned out to be untrue.

When people lie, they are often thinking so hard about their false story that their body language becomes awkward or forced.

Again, this isn’t a foolproof sign of dishonesty, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on in your interactions.

9) Overdoing details

This one might surprise you. When someone is lying, they often give more details than necessary. It’s counterintuitive, but actually makes sense when you think about it.

They’re trying to convince you (and maybe themselves) of a false story, so they pile on the details in an attempt to make it more believable.

If someone’s story seems overly detailed, it might be worth a second thought.

But remember, it could just be that they’re a naturally verbose person.

Always consider other cues and the context before making judgments.

10) Changes in voice

I remember a time when a friend’s voice seemed to change while telling a story.

It became higher pitched, and they were speaking faster than usual. Later, I found out there were some fabrications in that story.

Stress can cause changes in our voice. And lying can certainly induce stress.

So, a sudden change in someone’s voice might be an unconscious reaction to the stress of lying.

But again, it’s one potential sign among many.

Always consider the overall context and other body language cues before drawing conclusions.