The Language of Liars

[Occulus]

I've just finished watching the Rumsfeld hearings (I'll just call it that) on CSPAN and I think I've caught on to something. It's all involved with the body language of liars.

Many of us know some of the signs: looking up to the left after asserting a fact the speaker knows to be false; a facial tic or sudden body movement, etc. I think this administration has body "code" of its own.

My first example goes right back to the Florida recount. "We are out of time," we heard again and again. "There's not enough time left.... no time...." Implying, of course, that a decision had to be made now, without thought or debate.

In his hearings today, Rumsfeld repeatedly measured a little over an inch with his hands when referring to time, either time left or time in context. This implants to those watching a low-level impression that "time," in the reference involved, is or was short. In other words, no time to decide or debate or fact check.

My second basis for my overall impression of their body clues was Rumsfeld's and the other, four-star near the end of the proceedings (his name escapes me at the moment) fists. They repeatedly held up their right fists, clenched, with the thumb curved upward. They both did this over and over again.

To me, this implies that the speaker wishes to convey and impression of strength. When they each did it, they looked ready to hit someone. "My position is one of superior strength, regardless of whether you see it right or wrong."

These things, to me, imply a desire on the part of the one speaking to manipulate the impression the listener receives from them, albeit subtly. However, the impression that they want to control the how" of the reception of their comments gives me reason to suspect that they have something to hide.

Any thoughts?

[MissMarple]

1. I just know that I have a difficult time watching Rumsfeld talk.

I think he lies all the time.

[MichaelUK]

2. Rummy

Dude, the man's a politician. Of course he lies!!

As an aside, my psychology course has a segment on deception. And, according to that, you can't tell who's lying and who's not. Even the police are bad at it...

But i guess the thumbs up thing is something worth trying. Honest Mr Bank Manager (fists clenched, thumbs up), I won't spend the loan on clothes and booze (fists clenched, thumbs up). Honest!!

[Occulus]

3. well, that *is* how the man

comes across... but I wasn't speaking generally, I was talking about them specifically. I think maybe it was Rumsfeld's "how dare you criticize me" attitude.