Lie-detection tip: Look for an imbalance between body language and words

You need to focus on whether the person’s body language and words align. If the two don’t match, you might be on the receiving end of a lie. Here’s the thing about this lie-detection tip: We often pull, touch, or rub our skin to try and comfort ourselves and self-soothe.

For instance, if we’re talking about how confident we are and at the same time covering our neck with one hand, our actions and words aren’t on the same page. The body language defies our words and is a potential indicator of deceit.

But just because someone is fidgeting doesn’t mean they’re lying. If they have a reason to be anxious, these self-soothing motions can be present even when they’re telling the truth. The best thing to do is consider the situation.

… To help you out, here’s everything you need to learn about body language: The Dictionary of Body Language: A Field Guide to Human Behavior