In a previous RNI Newsletter topic relating to nonverbal behaviors, I referenced psychologist Paul Ekman who has spent his career examining the relationship between facial expressions and deceptive remarks. As a student of the art of interviewing, you should be aware of his key findings:
- Facial expressions are not culturally specific; instead, they are universal products of human evolution.
- There are approximately 90 individual muscles in the face, and they combine with one another to produce an expression. In that regard, there are over 10,000+ different configurations, and approximately 3000 of those are indicators of a corresponding verbal truth or lie. If the volume sounds daunting, know that Ekman collaborated with close friend and psychologist, Wallace Firesen to map and study every configuration of smile, frown, etc. Over decades, they collected data, drew conclusions and tested and validated the findings. Their results have helped many interviewers identify telltale expressions which signal a lie or at least an avoidance of the truth.
- As with any nonverbal body movement, it is absolutely critical to identify what movements are normal for that individual. That takes practice, and the more you do the better you get.
- You can identify what is normal for a particular subject as an interview, any type of exam under oath or a one-on-one contact unfolds. As you identify these normal markers and then observe ones that are abnormal, you can adjust your questioning and your remarks accordingly to determine whether or not the subject is being truthful.
- For example, a fake smile is indicative of an uncomfortable feeling, and this basic emotion is immediately telegraphed to the most visible of all body parts…. the face. As an experienced interviewer, you will recognize that aberrant response and factor it into what is being said at the moment.
To deepen you understanding of facial expressions, read Paul Ekman’s 2003 seminal work on the topic, Emotions Revealed. If you do, I guarantee that you will never look at someone’s facial expression in quite the same way again.
Research North, Inc. (RNI), is a professional private detective service providing support to the business community, the insurance industry and individuals in Michigan and Wisconsin since 1981. The company also offers pre-employment background checks to small and medium sized businesses through a subsidiary called Backgroundcheckswork.com that is fully staffed by professional investigators who are retired from law enforcement.
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