Why Spotting a Liar Is Harder Than You Think

We all like to think we're pros, but...

New research from UBC Okanagan shows there’s no single facial expression or speech pattern that reliably exposes a liar; detecting deception may require looking at multiple subtle signals.

Dr. Leanne ten Brinke, Associate Professor in UBCO’s Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, compared new cases of high-stakes public appeals against her earlier findings. While some cues like tentative language or forced smiles reappeared, others did not — and overall, they proved no more accurate than chance.

"People often think we can spot a liar through certain speech patterns or facial expressions. But this study shows us we shouldn’t rely on signals that work in one group and assume they apply to everyone, especially in high-pressure situations.”

— Dr. Leanne ten Brinke, UBC Okanagan

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