This strategy helps detect lies with almost 80% efficiency !

Some people have mastered the art of lying so well that it is sometimes very difficult to disentangle the true from the false. What if an easy-to-implement method finally made it possible to unmask serial liars ?

When a person lies naturally and spontaneously, almost effortlessly, this is called "compulsive lying disorder". By definition, a mythomaniac ends up believing himself in the stories he invents, a pathology that can be associated with several psychological disorders such as narcissistic personality disorder, borderline personality disorder or others of the megalomaniac type. If it is not always easy to spot a liar, an American study offers an almost infallible method.

To spot a liar, everything is in the details

To uncover mythos, we generally focus on body language, tone of voice and demeanor. Does he look stressed ? Confused ? Panic ? Researchers from the University of Amsterdam have looked into the question, and suggest that the best method is still to focus on the details. "If a person provides detailed descriptions of who, what, when, how and why, they are likely to be telling the truth. If they skim over these details, they are likely lying," summarizes the scientific publication Science Alert.

Bruno Verschuere, forensic psychologist, and his colleagues at the University of Amsterdam started from the premise that polygraphs, these lie detectors very widely used in the United States to unmask liars, are of relative reliability. Not only would it be "impossible" to evaluate a multitude of contradictory signals to establish an accurate judgment, but in addition, prejudices about the aesthetics of a guilty or innocent individual distort decision-making.

A reliable test at almost 80%

As a result, the researchers explored a new track. “We thought the truth could be found in simplicity and we suggest giving up rather than adding clues when trying to detect trickery,” they explain. They thus asked 1,445 people to examine a set of written documents, videos and audios in order to determine if the activities of a student were true or false. Result ? Those who were asked to focus only on the level of detail of the stories (descriptions of people, places, actions, timeline, etc.) were able to distinguish truth from lies with 59-79% accuracy.

In contrast, "those who relied on their intuition or used many factors to make their decision did not fare better than chance," continues Science Alert. In short, researchers strongly believe that focusing on a single clue to spot a liar is better than looking for dozens of mind-confusing behavioral cues. However, the researchers nuance, some people know perfectly how to accumulate concrete details to cover their tracks, it is then more difficult to unmask them.

what are the scientific methods to detect a lie ?

Detecting lies is a complex and challenging task, and there is no foolproof method that guarantees accurate detection in every situation. However, several scientific methods and techniques have been developed to help identify deceptive behavior. It's essential to remember that no single method can be solely relied upon, and a combination of approaches often yields more reliable results. Some of the commonly used scientific methods to detect lies include :

1. Polygraph (Lie Detector Test): The polygraph measures physiological responses such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and skin conductivity while the subject answers a series of questions. The idea is that deceptive responses may cause measurable changes in these physiological indicators. However, the reliability and accuracy of polygraph tests are highly debated, and their use is not universally accepted in all legal systems.

2. Statement Analysis: This method involves analyzing the written or spoken statements made by the individual. Specific linguistic cues, patterns, and language structures might suggest deception or inconsistency in their account. Trained professionals carefully scrutinize the wording and content of the statements to identify potential signs of dishonesty.

3. Microexpressions: Microexpressions are brief facial expressions that occur involuntarily and can reveal concealed emotions. Individuals trying to lie might exhibit subtle, fleeting facial expressions that betray their true feelings, even if they are trying to maintain a neutral front.

4. Eye-Tracking: The eye movement of a person can provide insights into their cognitive processes. In certain cases, dishonesty might cause variations in eye behavior, such as increased blinking, prolonged eye contact, or avoiding eye contact altogether.

5. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI): Brain imaging techniques like fMRI have been explored to detect lies. The idea is that certain brain regions might show differential activation during truth-telling compared to deception. However, fMRI-based lie detection is still a developing field and is not widely used in practical settings.

6. Voice Stress Analysis: Similar to the polygraph, this method aims to detect deception by analyzing changes in vocal pitch, frequency, and intensity that may occur when a person is lying. However, the reliability and scientific validity of voice stress analysis are also debated.

7. Concealed Information Test (CIT): The CIT, also known as the Guilty Knowledge Test, assesses whether a person has specific knowledge related to a crime or event. The test presents multiple-choice questions, and a stronger physiological response to the correct answer might indicate knowledge of the relevant information.

8. Cognitive Load and Reaction Time Measures: Some researchers have explored the idea that lying requires more cognitive effort than telling the truth. In this approach, deceptive responses are believed to take longer to produce due to increased cognitive load. Reaction time measures can be used to assess the speed of response to different types of questions.

It's important to emphasize that no single method can provide a definitive answer regarding someone's truthfulness. Moreover, skilled liars may be able to control their physiological responses and minimize detectable cues. Therefore, the most effective lie detection approaches often involve a combination of methods, extensive training of the examiner, and careful analysis of verbal and nonverbal behaviors.