CHICAGO — While deception makes for good television, identifying a liar in real life requires a sharper eye — and according to Dr. Abbie Marono, a behavioral scientist who trains federal agents in deception detection, your instincts might be more accurate than you think.
As FOX’s new reality competition show “The Snake” premiered this week, the topic of spotting lies took center stage — both on screen and off. The show pits 15 contestants against each other in a high-stakes game of alliances, eliminations, and secret manipulations. But in the real world, Dr. Marono says our brains are wired to pick up deception in under a second.
4 Key Nonverbal Signs of Lying
Dr. Marono outlined four key nonverbal behaviors that may suggest someone is lying:
-
Body Freeze – Instead of fidgeting, liars often go completely still, as the brain subconsciously locks the body down under pressure.
-
Self-Touch – Stress from lying may cause a person to touch their face, neck, or hands more frequently.
-
Blocking Displays – The body might shield itself with crossed arms or other subconscious protective gestures.
-
Body Angle – When someone slightly angles away from you during a conversation, your brain may register something is off — even if you don’t consciously notice it.
But Dr. Marono warns against jumping to conclusions based on a single gesture.
“The non-verbals are very, very important, but you have to couple it with smart questioning… The non-verbals are the what, and the verbals will get you the why,” she said.
TV vs. Reality: Deception Is More Than a Poker Face
While reality shows like The Snake highlight deception as entertainment — with contestants bluffing their way toward a $100,000 prize — Dr. Marono reminds us that real-life deceit is more complex.
According to show host Jim Jefferies, success in deception isn’t just about lying—it’s about being likable:
“You need a great poker face. But more important than anything, you need to be an easy hang… you can’t fake being enjoyable to be around.”
Have You Ever Caught Someone in a Lie?
Did your gut tell you something was off? Or do you swear by verbal traps and clever questions? Tell us your favorite lie-detection tips in the comments at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com!
