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The Latest Science about Behavioral Indicators of Deception

A Message for Professional Interviewers, Investigators, Therapists, and Negotiators

I wanted to let our Humintell community know of a recent paper that was published in a top-tier, scientific journal on behavioral indicators of deception.

In the scientific community, there have been debates about whether behavior can reliably differentiate truths from lies, and if so, which ones.

Fortunately, many studies published in the last two decades have demonstrated that nonverbal behavior (NVB) can differentiate truth-tellers and liars fairly well.

One reason for the emergence of the wealth of these findings is that these studies have examined situations in which people are actually interviewed about meaningful events and where there’s consequences for not being believed.

These are precisely the types of situations in which professionals – investigators, therapists, counselors, negotiators – work and need to make the best evaluations they can possibly make.

In the remainder of this article, I summarize three main take-aways of the latest paper, and interested readers can read the paper here.

1. Professionals should focus on clusters of NVB produced in multiple channels of behavior

Across the face, voice, hands, and whole body. Examining clusters makes more sense than examining only single behavior because NVB are part of a total communication package that occurs across multiple channels, with and without words.

Four facts support this suggestion:

  1. Human bodies are wired to connect our thoughts, feelings, and behavior (think embodied cognition)
  2. Our thoughts and feelings are blended at any one time and across time
  3. We verbalize only a portion of what’s in our heads at any one time
  4. Different mental states (cognitions, emotions, etc.) map onto different NVB channels (face, voice, gesture, etc.)

2. Professionals should focus on behavioral indicators that have been validated in science and vetted in the field.

Our Humintell community knows that certain NVB have been scientifically validated as deception indicators while others have not.

On one hand, facial expressions of emotion and microexpressions, some types of gestures, fidgeting (in some contexts), and some aspects of voice differentiate truth-tellers from liars.

On the other hand, looking away when answering questions (gaze aversion) has not been scientifically validated as a deception cue. Astute professionals will know not to believe everything about NVB that they may hear or read about.

3. NVB are also important indicators of many other mental states that can be helpful for interviewers.

Our Humintell community also knows that NVB can signal many different mental states, all of which can be useful to professionals as landmarks of meaningful topics and themes.

These include specific, discrete emotions such as anger, disgust, or fear; general affective states such as open or closed, relaxed or tense; specific verbal words or phrases; cognitive processes, confusion, concentration; and others.

Identifying these behaviors can give professionals additional insights to people’s mindsets.

Experienced professionals all develop their own customized interview strategies and tactics. The accurate and reliable observation and classification of NVB can be a crucial aid, and focusing on NVB clusters that have been validated in science and vetted in field work is key.

Equally important is to ignore NVB that have not been validated. By knowing which behaviors have been validated and vetted and which not, professionals can become more efficient by distinguishing meaningful signals from noise in the behavioral mess that occurs in interviews.

Here at Humintell, we base all our trainings on behavioral indicators of mental states that have been validated in science and vetted in the field by practitioners. Thus, please rest assured that we practice what we preach.

 

The post The Latest Science about Behavioral Indicators of Deception first appeared on Humintell.

What Do Boundaries Have To Do With Emotional Wellbeing?

October is Emotional Wellness Month. Emotional wellness, which is also known as emotional health or emotional wellbeing, is a person’s ability to handle their emotions and the varied experiences they encounter in life.

Enjoy this Guest Blog Post By Derya Ozes, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Operational Leader & Executive Coach

As a therapist, organizational leader, and executive coach, balance and boundaries are the first words that come to mind when I think about emotional wellbeing.

Humintell is an APA Approved CE provider for psychologists and therapists. Find out more about our CE Course offerings here.

Being in balance with what we need is about self-awareness and responsiveness to what you’re attuned with. For example, when we are hungry or thirsty, we respond by eating and drinking. We do this automatically. However, we don’t respond as automatically when we have boundary-related needs.

Our culture does not always help us respond to these needs as we should. When we are tired or sleepless, we learn to push through to get more errands and work done.

Instead of learning how to set boundaries that work for us (including saying “no” to what depletes us), we tend to say “yes” to invitations without really questioning our “why”. This does not make us weak or irresponsible, it makes us human.

In our humanity we invest in taking care of other people and fulfilling our roles as parents, colleagues, friends, siblings, etc. As we take care of others, we need to learn skills that help us take care of ourselves.

We need to normalize and celebrate asking ourselves questions that consider,

  • For whom am I making this decision?
  • Am I fully aware of the consequences of this decision?
  • Am I saying yes when I really mean, no?
  • Do I feel empowered to assert my preferences?

When we respond to these questions, we consider whether we are behaving within our boundaries and capacities or outside of them.

Emotional wellbeing is not about “doing” something in order to check the box. It is about creating a system that honors your needs. This means monitoring your own attention management and the reasons behind your decisions.

Whether the consequence of a decision is nourishing versus depleting of your energy is about being attuned to your boundaries.

Some common boundaries are, physical boundaries, sexual boundaries, emotional or mental boundaries, spiritual or religious boundaries, financial or material boundaries, time boundaries, and non-negotiable boundaries (i.e., values).

Here is one example where multiple boundaries are in competition: you know you should get eight hours of sleep every night (emotional and physical boundary); but, you haven’t made any modifications to your schedule (time boundary).

Congruence is demonstrated by recognizing that you’re depleted, then identifying what you need to do to address this and then committing to that strategy.

If you’re someone who has a packed schedule, mapping out every hour of your day to explore what can be delegated, or what you need to say “no” to can be one way of taking proactive measures toward congruence.

When we align what we are aware of with what we actually do, we create sustainable ways of living that can promote balance and stability with our emotions.

The post What Do Boundaries Have To Do With Emotional Wellbeing? first appeared on Humintell.

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Forged by Trust: The Healing Power of Nonverbal Behavior

Written by Robin Dreeke of the People Formula, originally published on LinkedIn

Introduction

In the world of trust and the intricate dance of nonverbal communication, I had the privilege of exploring the life and wisdom of David Matsumoto, Ph.D.

Renowned for his expertise in nonverbal behavior and as an Olympic Judo Coach, his journey is a captivating blend of resilience and profound human connection.

From humble beginnings to triumphs on the Olympic stage, Dr. Matsumoto’s story offers valuable insights into the transformative power of trust and the unspoken language that unites us all.

Building Trust from the Ground Up

Dr. Matsumoto’s journey begins in the loving embrace of his family, where trust becomes the cornerstone of his character.

Their unwavering support instills in him a belief that he can conquer any obstacle that life throws his way.

This early foundation of trust provides him with the confidence to navigate life’s challenges and embark on his path to greatness.

The Artistry of Judo and Nonverbal Communication

Within the realm of Judo, Dr. Matsumoto discovers a language that transcends words.

In the graceful movements and precise grips of the sport, nonverbal cues come alive, building a bridge of trust between practitioners.

Through the unspoken dialogue of touch and body language, they establish a profound connection that goes beyond the realm of spoken words.

Judo becomes a canvas for the exploration of trust and the power of nonverbal communication.

A Mentality of Service

As Dr. Matsumoto progresses in his Judo journey, he embraces a mentality of service.

Beyond personal achievements, he recognizes the importance of guiding and uplifting others.

Teaching becomes a means to foster growth and trust in his students. By offering guidance and support, he cultivates deep connections and leaves an indelible impact on their lives.

Coaching at the Olympics: A Trusting Relationship

Dr. Matsumoto’s coaching career reaches its zenith when he is chosen as a coach for the USA Olympic Judo Team in the prestigious 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.

This honor is a testament to the trust that both his athletes and the organization place in his expertise and leadership.

Through unwavering commitment and a deep understanding of trust, he creates an environment where athletes can thrive and achieve their full potential.

The Life-Saving Gift of Trust

In the midst of Dr. Matsumoto’s journey, a remarkable act of trust unfolds. One of his judo students, moved by compassion, selflessly offers him a kidney to combat his kidney disease.

This act of trust not only saves his life but also reinforces the profound impact trust can have on forging connections that transcend the boundaries of mortality.

It serves as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of trust in our lives.

Rising from Setbacks with Trust

Life presents its fair share of challenges to Dr. Matsumoto, but his unwavering trust becomes a guiding light in times of adversity.

Embracing the Japanese proverb, “Fall down seven times, stand up eight,” he uses setbacks as stepping stones for growth and self-improvement.

Trust becomes the catalyst that propels him forward and enables him to rise above challenges.

Conclusion

Dr. David Matsumoto’s journey is a testament to the profound impact of trust and the intricate dance of nonverbal communication.

From his humble beginnings to his triumphs as a coach, he exemplifies the transformative power of trust in personal relationships and on the Judo mat.

Through his experiences, we gain valuable insights into nurturing trust, understanding the language of nonverbal communication, and using trust as a springboard for growth.

Let us embrace these lessons as we navigate our own journeys, forging connections and creating a world rooted in trust.

The post Forged by Trust: The Healing Power of Nonverbal Behavior first appeared on Humintell.