True
2024;
Score | 29
Esther Alo Freelancer @ Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko
In Psychology 3 min read
How to Know When Someone is Lying to You 🕵🏽‍♀️ (Without Turning Into Sherlock Holmes)
<p style="text-align: right;"><br/></p><p>We’ve all been there. Someone looks you dead in the eye, says “I swear I’m not lying,” and suddenly your gut is screaming louder.</p><p>But how do you actually know if someone’s lying?</p><p>Let’s break it down—with a mix of psychology, body language, and good ol’ human intuition.</p><p><br/></p><p>🧠 1. Their Words and Actions Don’t Match</p><p>This is the big one. Liars can rehearse words—but the body often tells the truth. If someone says, “I’m not mad,” but their jaw is tight, arms crossed, and they’re blinking like they just touched pepper spray?</p><p>👀 Trust the body over the mouth.</p><p><br/></p><p>😬 2. They’re Over-Explaining</p><p>Liars often feel the need to convince you, not just inform you. So they’ll throw in too much detail:</p><p>“No, I wasn’t at David’s party. I was home. Watching Netflix. Season 3 of Stranger Things. With popcorn. The sweet and salty one. Around 9:23 pm exactly.”</p><p>Sir… no one asked for all that. 🙄</p><p><br/></p><p>🗣️ 3. Their Tone Changes Mid-Conversation</p><p>Does their voice suddenly get higher? Do they start talking faster or slower? Are they weirdly defensive about a simple question like, “Where were you last night?”</p><p>That shift in energy might mean they’re dancing around the truth like it’s lava.</p><p><br/></p><p>👁️ 4. Shifty Eye Contact (But Not Always)</p><p>Contrary to popular belief, not all liars avoid eye contact. Some overdo it—they stare too hard, as if trying to prove innocence with laser eyes.</p><p>Still, rapid blinking, looking away mid-sentence, or constantly scanning the room? 🚩 Suspicious.</p><p><br/></p><p>✋🏽 5. They Touch Their Face A Lot</p><p>It’s called “self-soothing.” When someone’s uncomfortable, especially while lying, they might:</p><p>Rub their nose</p><p>Touch their lips</p><p>Tug at their collar</p><p>Scratch their head (a classic cartoon move, and for good reason)</p><p>It’s the body saying, “Abort mission! We’re being fake!”</p><p><br/></p><p>🌀 6. They Flip the Script on You</p><p>Ever had someone gaslight you when you ask a basic question?</p><p>“Why do you even care where I was?” “Wow, I didn’t expect this from you.” “You clearly don’t trust me.”</p><p>Ah, yes. The classic “Attack is the best defense” strategy. When someone goes on the offense too quickly, they might be dodging the truth.</p><p><br/></p><p>🤔 7. Your Gut Knows Something’s Off</p><p>No PhD needed here. Your gut? Your intuition? That tight feeling in your chest or sudden mental side-eye?</p><p>It’s valid.</p><p>Science shows your brain picks up micro-signals before you even consciously notice them. So if something feels off? You’re probably not imagining it.</p><p><br/></p><p>⚠️ But Here’s the Twist…</p><p>Just because someone does one or two of these things doesn't automatically mean they’re lying.</p><p>Some people fidget because they’re nervous. Others avoid eye contact because of anxiety or neurodivergence. And let’s be honest—we’ve all lied at some point, even if it was just to protect ourselves or avoid hurting someone else.</p><p>So what should you do?</p><p><br/></p><p>🧩 Final Thought: Watch Patterns, Not Just Moments</p><p>One weird answer doesn’t mean a person’s a liar. But patterns? Those matter.</p><p>Are they always defensive?</p><p>Do they always change their story?</p><p>Does your energy feel drained after talking to them?</p><p>If so... it may be time to step back, not just from their lies—but from their presence.</p><p>You deserve truth. Realness. Someone whose “yes” means yes and whose “no” doesn’t need a dramat</p><p>ic 3-hour monologue.</p><p><br/></p><p><br/></p><p>Thanks for reading...</p><p><a class="tc-blue external-link" href="https://twocents.space/insights/tag/alo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#Alo</a></p>
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How to Know When Someone is Lying to You 🕵🏽‍♀️ ...
By Esther Alo 5 plays
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