Online influencers claim subtle, non-verbal cues expose when a person is lying. But how much do gestures, eye contact and arm positioning really reveal? BBC Science Focus
“Researchers have spent decades trying to identify … a behavioural cue that can help you to separate liars from truth tellers,” says Leanne ten Brinke, an associate professor and director of the Truth and Trust Lab at the University of British Columbia-Okanagan, in Canada. “The short answer to that question is really no. There’s no ‘Pinocchio’s nose’.” BBC Science Focus
Learning Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Define body language and distinguish between intentional and unintentional nonverbal cues.
- Critically evaluate common myths about detecting lies through body language.
- Analyze psychological and neurological research about deception and its indicators.
- Identify the cultural and cognitive biases that influence our interpretations of others’ behavior.
- Debate the ethical and legal implications of using body language in settings such as courts and job interviews.
1. Warm-Up Discussion: Trusting the Signals
Prompt:
“Have you ever felt someone was lying to you? What gave you that impression?”
Facilitate a brief, open discussion that reveals students’ intuitive beliefs about deception. Encourage sharing of cultural sayings or media examples (e.g., crime shows, reality TV). List the students’ common beliefs on the board.
Then pose the central question for the lesson:
“Can we really detect lies by reading body language?”
2. Mythbusting Through Media
Play both of the following videos back to back:
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Rochester University — Highlights the difficulties of spotting deception and the overreliance on misleading cues.
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Can you spot the liar? AsapSCIENCE — Discusses the false assumptions people make about fidgeting, eye contact, and posture.
Ask students to jot down what they learned or found surprising in each video. Prompt students to consider: What myths did the videos challenge?
3. Reading and Analyzing the Article
Distribute or project “How to Crack the Subtle Body Language of Liars” (BBC Science Focus). Read selected sections aloud or assign students to annotate in pairs.
Key Quotes to Discuss:
- “There is no universal ‘tell’ – no Pinocchio’s nose that always betrays a lie.”
- “Liars may reduce their hand gestures, become stiffer or overly still – but that’s not definitive.”
- “Cultural norms influence what’s considered deceptive. For instance, in some cultures, avoiding eye contact is a sign of respect, not guilt.”
Ask: How does this article support or contradict the students’ earlier beliefs? What new complexities did it add?
4. Group Work: Myth vs. Science Comparison
In small groups, students should:
- List body language “tells” they believed were signs of lying.
- Contrast these with insights from the article and videos.
- Identify at least two myths and explain why they’re misleading or harmful.
Each group shares one key insight with the class. Summarize findings on the board.
5. Real-World Implications: Justice, Interviews, and Bias
Facilitate a class discussion on the high-stakes consequences of misreading body language:
- Legal Systems: Reference the article’s mention of a Colorado judge who reversed a sentence based on body language interpretation.
- Workplace Interviews: How could cultural misinterpretation impact hiring?
- Media Trials: How does public perception of a defendant’s demeanor influence public opinion?
Supplementary Source:
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Vrij, A. (2008). Detecting Lies and Deceit: Pitfalls and Opportunities. (Summarize key finding: even trained professionals are often no better than chance at detecting lies.)
Pose the question: “Should courts, employers, or security agencies rely on body language to assess truthfulness?”
6. Conclusion and Reflective Writing
Wrap up the lesson with a critical reflection prompt:
Prompt:
“What is the biggest myth you believed about body language and lying? How has your understanding changed, and how might this knowledge affect the way you assess people in the future?”
Encourage students to submit this reflection either as an exit slip or via an online discussion platform.