Common Beliefs
In 2006, The Global Research Deception Team published their study on common beliefs about recognizing lies. Participants from 58 countries came together and shared their thoughts on what they believed were signs on deception. Even with all of these cultural differences, there were a few beliefs that seemed to be the same across these countries. The one belief that stood out was gaze aversion. Even though in previous tests there had been little correlation with gaze aversion and the appearance of lies, this belief was found universally. Even in the United Arab Emirates, where gaze aversion is usually a sign of respect, 20% of participants said it was a cue to deception.
While this study was the first of its kind, more studies like this one should be preformed. Participants were asked open ended questions allowing them to be as detailed in their responses as possible. Nearly 80% of participants cited gaze aversion as the most common belief about lying. After this nervousness and incoherent speech patters were the most common beliefs in ways to recognize lies.
While this study was the first of its kind, more studies like this one should be preformed. Participants were asked open ended questions allowing them to be as detailed in their responses as possible. Nearly 80% of participants cited gaze aversion as the most common belief about lying. After this nervousness and incoherent speech patters were the most common beliefs in ways to recognize lies.