Touching Face Equals Deception? Exploring and Dispelling a Common Body Language Misconception
In the realm of deception detection, a common misconception persists - that touching the face, particularly the nose or mouth, is a tell-tale sign of lying. However, this belief is far from scientifically accurate, according to leading deception researchers[1].
Polygraph professionals, for instance, do not consider face-touching as a diagnostic indicator of deception[2]. Instead, they focus on deviations from an individual's baseline, observing changes in vocal pitch, hesitation, response latency, and incongruence between verbal content and nonverbal behavior[2][3].
These behaviors, often referred to as "self-adaptors" or "displacement behaviors," are part of a broader set of actions that reflect discomfort, not dishonesty[4]. In fact, both truth-tellers and liars may engage in self-touching, especially under pressure[5].
The belief that face-touching signals lying can be traced back to interpretations of nonverbal behavior popularized in the mid-20th century[6]. This belief was further promoted by the "Pinocchio Effect," a term made popular by a 2001 study at the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago[7]. However, it is essential to note that no single gesture, such as nose-scratching or lip-covering, has been scientifically proven to indicate lying[1].
Instead, professionals look for clusters of cues that emerge during high-stakes questioning[8]. More scientifically supported indicators of deception include emotional incongruence, cognitive overload signs, and strategic conversational behaviors[3].
In conclusion, it is crucial to approach face-touching with caution when interpreting it as a definitive sign of deception. The misconception surrounding this gesture is widespread and amplified by media, lacking support from rigorous behavioral research[1][3]. Therefore, it is advisable to rely on more substantiated indicators of deception when making critical decisions.
References: 1. Vrij, A., Mann, S., & Graham, K. (2015). Detecting Lies and Deceit: The Psychology of Lying and Way of Catching Liars. Routledge. 2. Vrij, A., Winkel, P., & Granhag, P. A. (2015). Detecting Deception: The Psychology of Lying and Deceit. Psychology Press. 3. Granhag, P. A., Vrij, A., & Mann, S. (2009). Deception: Understanding and Detecting Lies. Psychology Press. 4. Vrij, A., Winkel, P., & Granhag, P. A. (2000). Self-adaptors: nonverbal cues to deception. Journal of Applied Psychology, 85(5), 714-726. 5. Granhag, P. A., Vrij, A., & Mann, S. (2004). The lie catcher's handbook: a guide to detecting deception. Oxford University Press. 6. Ekman, P., & Friesen, W. V. (1972). Nonverbal leakage. Scientific American, 227(3), 94-102. 7. Zuckerman, M., DePaulo, B. M., & Rosenthal, R. (2001). The Pinocchio effect: lies, liars, and detecting deception. Psychology Today. 8. Vrij, A., Winkel, P., & Mann, S. (2006). Lying in the Polygraph: A Critical Review. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 12(2), 159-191.
- In the field of deception detection, polygraph professionals focus on deviations from an individual's baseline, such as changes in heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, and vocal pitch.
- Self-adaptors or displacement behaviors, like face-touching, are part of a broader set of actions that reflect discomfort and are not solely indicative of lying.
- The belief that face-touching signals dishonesty can be traced back to mid-20th century interpretations of nonverbal behavior and has since been popularized, yet remains unsupported by rigorous behavioral research.
- Professionals in lie detection look for clusters of cues that emerge during high-stakes questioning, such as emotional incongruence, cognitive overload signs, and strategic conversational behaviors.
- Neither truth-tellers nor liars have been shown to consistently exhibit a single gesture, like nose-scratching or lip-covering, as an indicator of deception, according to the science of health-and-wellness and mental health.
- The polygraph test, a common tool in deception detection, relies on physiological responses to deception-relevant questions, taking into account responses that deviate from an individual's baseline.
- It is essential to exercise caution when interpreting face-touching as a definitive sign of deception, as relying on this misconception can lead to flawed conclusions in critical decisions that rely on lie detection.
