Edited from Peaco Todd's article.
Politicians can be especially tricky to catch them lying since most of them have had so much practice.
They develop a keen sense of what we, the citizenry, want to hear: we warm to positive messages and flinch from painful truths. And because so many of us are woefully ignorant about the details of the issues, we, like sheep, are easily led.
The best defense against a lie is knowledge. But apart from firsthand knowledge (or other reliable evidence) are there verbal and nonverbal clues that can give a liar away?
Lying is harder than telling the truth. Lying is stressful. To be an effective liar requires that one rehearse and memorize detail rather than rely on memory. Because of the anxiety associated with lying and the perceived sense of the importance of the lie, the liar often will give him- or herself away. This is especially true of politicians since their lives can be exhaustingly busy and lies require energy and constant attention.
Some people are simply really good at lying. Many signs, such as the fleeting facial tics known as “micro-expressions,” are extremely difficult for a lay person to distinguish. When applying the following clues to uncover lies and liars, it’s good policy to temper hubris with modesty: understand that you might get it wrong. But careful use of them might help you get it right.
1. Notice eye contact.
It’s a myth that liars won’t or can’t make eye contact. However, look for unnatural eye contact: either the person is unable to maintain contact or s/he fixes you (or the camera) with a strained and aggressive stare.
2. Read body language.
Pay attention to such indicators as crossed arms or legs, slouching or tilting the head away: these can indicate the discomfort that accompanies lying.
3. Follow the eyes.
Many researchers posit that when the eyes look up and to the right (his or her right, not yours) this suggests that the part of the brain linked to the imagination is being triggered. Conversely, the eyes looking down and to the left might indicate the part of the brain linked to memory.
4. Look at the hands.
Often liars’ hands will speak eloquently of deception. Watch for clenched fists, covering the mouth or part of the face, rubbing the eyes, scratching on or behind the ear.
5. Pay attention to detail.
The person who offers too much detail, especially unasked, might be lying. Because the narrative of the lie is fabricated, the liar can often be tripped up by inconsistencies in the story, especially if the same questions are repeated after some time has passed.
Politicians’ lips always move and it’s not always lies that emanate. To truly become a lie detector, you need to arm yourself with information and intuition. But if you do notice someone’s pants on fire.
To read more about the signs of deception, check out these websites:
P/S: With the anticipated GE13 is getting very near, many politicians are scrambling to get to be selected by their respected party and get to be noticed by the voters and ultimately to be elected in the GE, they start to talk a lot and promising the moon and stars by talking nonsense. Therefore, now is the best time to apply the above knowledge to detect those politicians who are shamelessly lying to the core when they start open their big mouth. Perhaps we can take one of ex-PMs or the present PM or the Opposition Leader as a good example of the above study.
If in your evaluation you found out most of the politicians from a particular party were liars, are you going to keep putting your votes for these unscrupulous devils?
Why not do a dy/dx for a better one, even it's an unknown angel!
