Detecting Deception

Linda Clemons

Detecting deception isn’t always easy yet it is critically important and valuable and Linda Clemons, CEO at Sisterpreneur, wants to talk about how analytic interviewing and statement analysis can be helpful in that pursuit.

In his November, 2017 National Geographic article entitled “Why We Lie,” Uudhijit Bhattacacharjee wrote about our struggles we have detecting when truth is absent.

“Our capacity for dishonesty is as fundamental to us as our need to trust others, which ironically makes us terrible at detecting lies,” he said.

This quick Q&A examines the topic.

Communication Intelligence: What is surprising to know as in what have you learned about deception that most people don't know?’

Linda Clemons: Most people seem to overlook, forget or simply do not realize is when someone is lying or being deceptive. They can only tell the story forward and not backwards, or from the end. In other words, let’s trace the story backwards.

CommIntel: What, in layman’s terms, is Analytic Interviewing and Statement Analysis, why is it trustworthy and how is it most helpful?

Clemons: Analytic Interviewing, also known as scientific content analysis, is a technique for analyzing the words people use to assess if what they said is accurate. Statement Analysis is to identify a person;s baseline or norm and look for deviations. If a deviation is revealed you then ask the question “Why?”

CommIntel: What type or types of deception are easier to detect and which are most difficult?

Clemons: The easiest one to detect is when there is a lack of congruence in a person’s words, tone and body language.

One of the most challenging is when the person is a pathological liar and when there is a personal bias: (with) people we care about and believe in, we can unconsciously overlook behaviors and verbal responses that are before us.

CommIntel: Deception is part of human interaction and causes a long list of problems. Since that's never going to change, early detection is the best route. Succinctly stated, how can a specialist like yourself most help people?

Clemons: Leadership should set the environment of integrity and honesty through personal demonstration. Provide a space for individual and collective communication without consequence or fear of rejection. 

Acknowledge and reward those who demonstrate honesty and integrity.

CommIntel: Should this be taught and can it be taught at a high school level or college level so more of society can benefit from an earlier age? 

Clemons: Yes, it can be taught, with certain fundamentals introduced at the pre-high school level.

CommIntel: What are you most confident about when it comes to Analytic Interviewing and Statement Analysis and detecting deception?

Clemons: Before the words or statement is made, it starts off as a thought. The part of the brain that deals with a variety of different emotions is the amygdala, also known as the “truth brain.” This is the part that sends signals of nonverbal cues to the body.

My granny would say, “you can’t talk right and walk left.”