Cheat Sheet – Detect Lies Using Body Language: The Basics of Body Language and Lying

Have you ever said, “that guy doesn’t have an honest bone in his body?” or “That politician doesn’t seem truthful?” Did you wonder how you knew this? Most likely, you didn’t even realize that you were interpreting his or her body language. Detecting lies using body language is a fascinating and complex subject that has captured the attention of psychologists, law enforcement, and the general public alike. However, it's essential to remember that interpreting body language is not an exact science. There are many layers to understanding and interpreting body language and this short cheat sheet is designed as a quick read to provide, at a high level, some common cues of deception including: the face, eyes, gestures and hands, posture and body position, and feet….yes, feet! You may find these techniques useful in many situations especially during an election season.