Are you a good liar? We've all told the odd porky to get out of an awkward situation. "My bus was late" always makes more sense when you don't make it to the office on time than "I decided to sleep for an extra half hour".
But does anyone actually believe you? Take this five-second test - devised by University of Hertfordshire professor of psychology Richard Wiseman - to find out if you're an expert in deceit or a very obvious Pinocchio...
So, now you know if you're a good liar! But can you spot one? Here's five things to look out for:
1. Zero eye contact. Why? Because generally when someone is telling porkies, they're a bit uncomfortable. To avoid eye contact, liars will touch their eyes, yawn or simply look away.
2. Loads of eye contact. The sad truth is some people are actually super comfortable with deceit and will look you full in the face when they do it. However, knowing they're lying, many will overcompensate by maintaining eye contact for far too long. If you're suspicious of someone, ask yourself this: are they looking are me in an intense creepy way without blinking for more than six seconds? Yes? They're lying (sorry).
3. Check out where they avert their eyes to. Apparently right-handed people look to the right when fibbing and left-handed people look to the left.
4. Mimicry. A liar will copy the language of their accuser rather than simply denying an accusation. For example:
CONVERSATION WITH A LIAR
You: "Zoey, did you spill red wine on my favourite dress last night?"
Zoey: "No, I did not spill red wine on your favourite dress last night."
CONVERSATION WITH A NON-LIAR
You: "Zoey, did you spill red wine on my favourite dress last night?"
Zoey: "No."
5. Body language. Fact: crossed ankles and arms are classic lying giveaways, as are touching the face and holding an object close to the body.
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