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Lying and Body Language
The Peetes

When you bend the truth, what does your body language say about you? Holly and Rodney talk to body language expert Janine Driver about the telltale signs someone is lying!

Janine says 93 percent of what we communicate to others is through nonverbal expressions—eye contact and body movements. She says our nonverbal cues change when we're not telling the truth. "When we lie, our brains and bodies don't want us to lie, so we see a lot of stuttering," Janine says.

Janine shares advice on how to catch a liar in the act:

  • Instead of accusing the person of lying, ask if there is a reason why an event related to the lie is taking place. For example, if you suspect your child is fibbing, ask, "Is there any reason why your friend's mother called me today?" instead of accusing him of doing something wrong.
  • When your child gives you a dishonest answer, say, "Really?" Get a little attitude with him and look at him as though you do not believe what he's saying, Janine says.
  • Say nothing at all. "A liar needs to be believed, so they will fill in that space with something," Janine says.
  • Say, "Is there something you want to get off your chest?" When you say that, Janine says you'll be surprised at the response you get. More than 80 percent of people will confess what they were lying about, she says.
Published on June 04, 2008
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