The lie was undeniable.
First, a raised lip for only a microsecond, followed by a briefly clenched fist, then a look to the floor, down and away. That signified guilt. Bad guy discovered. Case closed.
On the Fox television show, 'Lie to Me,' preeminent lie-detector Dr. Cal Lightman, played by Tim Roth, runs a consulting company called the Lightman Group, which specializes in helping people solve crimes. On the show, Lightman and his team of experts work on cases from protecting a Korean ambassador, to connecting linked suicides. Although this is a fictional show, the truth behind it may make you think twice about what those closest to you are REALLY saying.
Consider your everyday conversation with a friend or relative. They ask, "How are you?" You answer, "Fine, thanks. How are you?" In reality, you are miserable -- on the verge of collapse -- and couldn't care less about how they are doing (unless it's your mom, maybe).
According to the 'Lie to Me' website, this white lie-laced interaction isn't unusual. In fact, the site notes, "the average person tells three lies in 10 minutes of conversation." But what if you could read through all the lies, and know how everyone around you truly felt?
That's where the real-life work of Dr. Paul Ekman comes in. Ekman -- a clinical psychologist, behavioral scientist, author and talk-show regular who specializes in lying -- is the inspiration for 'Lie to Me' and its main character, Dr. Lightman. He also serves as the series' "scientific advisor." Ekman's highly sophisticated techniques range from studying the intricacies of body language, to the nuances of microexpressions, which are brief, involuntary expressions that show on the faces of people who try to conceal an emotion. Ekman's like the Obi-wan Kenobi of lie detection, appropriately referred to by his peers as a 'Truth Wizard.'
With his company, the Paul Ekman Group, Dr. Ekman develops training techniques for organizations and individuals on how to accurately read liars. Information regarding specific detection-training techniques and services is available through his personal website and his company site, METT Online. Among Ekman's online offerings are a self-administered Micro Expression Training Tool (METT); a Subtle Expression Training Tool (SETT); downloadable excerpts from his books (including the best-selling 'Emotional Awareness: A conversation between the Dalai Lama and Paul Ekman, Ph.D.'; updates on new research being conducted in the lie-detection field; a 'Lie to Me'-themed e-newsletter; and the doctor's personal blog.
One of the most fascinating examples of the potential impact of Ekman's techniques is in a 2006 article published in the Washington Post. In the article, "How to Spot a Terrorist on the Fly," Eckman discusses the use of a detection approach called SPOT (Screening Passengers by Observational Techniques). Had airport security personnel been trained to recognize microexpressions and body language, he writes, they might have caught some -- if not all -- of the people responsible for the 9/11 attacks.
"Several of them were repeatedly questioned, but no one recognized their lies," writes Ekman, regarding the 9/11 hijackers. "An airport screener later said he had been suspicious of one because of his strange demeanor on the day of the attacks. But the screener had no training that would have given him the confidence to act on his suspicions."
So what does all this mean?
-- Everybody lies (or least tells a few fibs every now and again)
-- Learning proper lie-detection skills, such as how to read microexpressions, can help you immensely in both your private and professional life
-- You don't need a Ph.D. in behavioral psychology to know when someone is lying to you: Take a look at Dr. Ekman's sites, maybe buy one of his books, and you're on your very own path to 'Truth Wizard' success
-- Aside from being an exceptionally useful skill, implementing lie-detection techniques can give you a real rush, too!
-- 'Lie to Me' is a good show with a good premise that is worth checking out
Enough said. Now watch 'Lie to Me', and see how well you track the tell-tale signs!
-- Ted Goslin, Clear365 Blogger
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Image credits:
'Lie to Me'/Fox Television
Davis Freeman, www.PaulEkman.com
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