Microexpressions Betray Our Emotions
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We can learn to spot lies
I've been watching the new Fox show Lie to Me with real interest: based on the findings of Dr. Paul Ekman (who trained as a clinical psychologist and worked until 2004 at the Langley Porter Neuropsychiatric Institute), the TV show demonstrates how the human face betrays our emotions with microexpressions, even when we are trying to mask our feelings. Ekman started to concentrate specifically on how human faces (regardless of nationality, gender, cultural conditioning, or any other potential influence you can think of) betray our lies. The TV show uses fictional cases and supporting slow-motion footage of famous people showing their real feelings, however briefly. It's all real, and it's all fascinating, so I decided to research the show -- which led me to Dr. Ekman's research -- which led me to a wealth of information on microexpressions, how to spot them, and what they reveal about us.
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When Your Lover Is a Liar: Healing the Wounds of Deception and Betrayal
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Liars
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Tim Roth as Dr. Cal Lightman
The show Lie to Me details the cases of a Dr. Cal Lightman, who heads the private Lightman Group in working with individuals or corporations who simply need to know urgently whether someone is lying to them. Indeed, the real Dr. Paul Ekman directs the Ekman Group, which supplies materials needed to train others in the process of detecting emotions (his website calls it "emotional skills"), and which is most recently "initiating new research relevant to national security and law enforcement" (paulekman.com). The implications of this are wide ranging and intriguing: if security forces could be trained reliably in "reading faces" and interpreting certain unconscious human gestures and expressions, their work might well be aided considerably. Likewise, if police investigators could easily recognize when a suspect is lying or telling the truth, cases might well be solved more successfully. While such research and detection is not yet admissible in court, it may well be in the future; it is clearly relevant information and can help in discovering the truth, building a case against a suspect, deciding whether to trust a key employee or potential colleague -- the applications are endless.
So what are these expressions?
Microexpressions are just that: brief, fleeting expressions that we unconsciously use all the time. Dr. Ekman's research indicates that the average person tells up to three lies during any ten-minute period. These could be lies about how we're feeling ("Great! How are you?"), white lies about anything; the lies of social interaction that we find it necessary to tell in our everyday lies. Think about it -- don't believe it? Listen to what you're saying, and compare it to what you're really thinking or feeling ("I enjoyed working with you," "You look great after your surgery!" "I love your new outfit," "looking forward to seeing you"). Take a look --
Further Reading
- Microexpressions Complicate Face Reading
Reading the face of a person who is trying to conceal fear or other emotions is a tricky business, according to a new Northwestern University study of electrical activity in the brain.Th - Lying Is Exposed By Micro-expressions We Can\'t Control
When trying to lie your way through any situation, keep a tight rein on your zygo maticus major and your orbicularis oculi. They'll give you away faster than a snitch. So says a University at Buffalo social psychologist, whose revolutionary research - What a Half-Smile Really Means
Micro-expressions -- facial expressions that last a fraction of a second -- give away exactly how you feel, no matter how hard you try to conceal it. A CD-ROM set teaches how to detect the emotions people try to hide. By Kim Zetter. - Micro Expression Training Tool (METT) Online | Welcome
- Eyes for Lies Blog: Microexpressions -- Test Yourself
Blog of a Human Lie Detector - Microexpressions : The Frontal Cortex
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Comments
Hi Teresa, I have yet to watch the show for the first time, but your hub is very interesting and makes me want to check out the show. Thanks for writing.-Journey*
Great information - sort of fits in with the findings of Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Rogers' ideas about congruence.
Intersting read indeed, thanks.
Love and peace
Tony
Excellent article. I'm going to check out the show. This could be quite valuable in a poker game. The little white lies are necessary; it is the basis for tact as the old Jim Carrey movie pointed out.
Hi Teresa! I've always been fascinated with non verbal communication, and this adds a new level to it! I saw a documentary on NG about detecting lies through facial expression, they concentrated a lot on where the eyes look at when trying to find an answer to a tricky question. Seems if the eyes look up and right they're searching the creative side of the brain, hence a lie is in the works, and instead if they look sidewises to the left they are really looking for a real answer stored in the logic part of the brain. Fascinating :-)
Fascinating hub and the video is really enticing. I'm not a big Fox fan, but I will have to check this one out for sure. Reading body language is something we all do so instinctively-- and so do dogs and cats--hmmmm another fascinating hub subject. Thanks for this. I really enjoyed it.
Robie -- I'll have to admit, if Tim Roth wasn't in the show I probably wouldn't have looked at it. He's such a good actor that I get completely pulled in.
Elena -- isn't it fascinating? We don't realize we're doing it. I've been trying to catch myself looking up and to the right -- it's true! I'm a liar!
Pete -- if it helps your poker face, remember where you learned the information when you're counting your winnings!
Tony -- Neuro-linguistic programming I'm not familiar with at all. Good! Something else to research (I love it!) Thanks for visiting and for your comment.
Hey Journey -- thanks for stopping by.
RK-- see if you can catch yourself NOT keeping a straight face. It gets addictive. . .
Excuse me a moment while I go take a look at my face. Nope, I'm not lying! not yet anyways. Loved the hub. (Lying) (Kiddin) LOL
Interesting Hub. We've all probably experienced "getting vibes" from liars, even when the person (as on a news program featuring a sociopath) seems to making all the "right" expressions. We may not be able to exactly identify why it is we sense he's lying, but we see that he's somehow different from someone who is obviously telling the truth.
I would think, though, question the person who claims that the average person lies three times during any ten minute period. I would think it would depend on the setting in which the ten-minute period takes place - for example, a job interview versus being out with a friend for coffee or meeting a casual acquaintance at the store.
I can't believe most other people are all that different from me: At a job interview where I don't think much of the job (or even do), I'm likely to tell all kinds of lies about "being impressed with the company" and "appreciating the time". In my personal life, though, while there are things I'm not about to share with a friend or a casual acquaintance, whatever I say is most often true. I may not tell the details of some flu-like symptoms I have, but I'll be honest and say, "I've got some awful flu - so don't come close." If I'm unhappy one day, I won't give details; but I may say, "Oh, I'm having one of those days." I'm not above the rare, necessary, and/or polite white lie ("My car didn't start" or "Oh, I'd to be there but I have plans that day."), but I think months go by between times those seem necessary. I suspect if I don't like someone I'm not capable of hiding it in my microexpressions (or "regular" expressions, either); but I don't meet many people I don't like (even if I don't want to be their best friend).
Again, interesting subject; but I'm just not sure I accept that one point about how often the average person lies. On the one hand, if they mean not sharing every thought/feeling we have, then I think we all live one, big, lie. If they mean, however, having what we say not match we we mean - then that's what I would question.
Hi Teresa
I hate this hub! LOL
anyway, does this mean that having a poker face means controling microexpressions? interesting hub, i'll check out the links. thanks for sharing :D
I am hooked on the show Lie to Me!!!! It's so interesting! Especially when they show pictures of real people showing the same expressions as the ones in the story. It's very interesting, and I am learning a lot! Great research!!!
Teresa McGurk, fascinating topic! I'll have to read up on it. I think facial tics that reveal that we are lying are an example of how cooperative behavior -- such as not lying about important matters affecting others -- is ultimately an aid to survival. The individual who lies is trying to serve his own interests, but the facial tics were bred into him, so that he and those counting on him may survive as a group.
What an amazing topic , and hub Teresa. Not sure if the show is over here, will have to search the sky channels. One to watch I think.
It is interesting to consider how facial tics do betray people and their emotions.
Very interesting, I'm going to have to go back and try the METT training. I have to tell my kids to record this show for me! Thanks for the info.
I have been watching this show as well and find it fascinating. I think I'm learning to spot microexpressions through some the illustrations the show gives. It's interesting stuff for sure, and this is a very well written hub about the topic, thanks!
All I can say is I'm soooo glad I've turned over a new leaf and given up my lyin', cheatin', thievin' ways for a life of rigorous honesty! Thanks for the thoughtful hub. This definitely is a fascinating area. MM
Never heard of the show (well, I have now ....) but like you I'd watch it for Tim Roth alone ever since his first film 'Made in Britain" (1982) I've followed his career.
Anyway - this is a fascinating subject and a great hub - your enjoyment of the research you've done so thoroughly shines through.
TIP : sunglasses and a beret are useful in hiding one's microexpressions ..... just saying.
Iphigenia -- I can imagine that sunglasses and a beret are excellent -- yep, it's hard to read your face with them on!
MM-- rigorous honesty is the way to go (I think I left mine in my other suit, though).
Ktoo -- isn't it addictive?
k@ri -- you'll get hooked -- what gets me is that it's the same for every individual.
Hey SweetiePie: it isn't actually an individual tic per se, it's a universal expression -- which makes it readable from face to face.
Hawkesdream -- yeah, have a look for it. It certainly has relevance outside of the show itself.
Aya: what's fascinating to me is that it is uniform across cultures, genders, upbringing.
Anna Marie: I'm getting caught up in the characters --
Hey Cris! I hate you! lol -- no, actually it means that there is no such thing as a true poker face -- well, the point about poker is that you keep speaking to a minimum, so that no microexpressions can "leak" out
Lisa: yes, I would imagine that the average figure allows for all sorts of situations
Dottie: thanks for stopping by! no lies!
Hi Teresa! I'm going to have to keep a look out for this show, because it does sound very interesting. Three lies in ten minutes? Wow, that's a bit difficult for me to believe, but it also makes me wonder about how sometimes a lie brings on a lie. For example, when you run into someone you know, the first question usually is "How are you?" Depending on who the person is, many times you know it's just a polite expression of acknowledgement, and he/she could actually care less about how you really are, so you respond with "Fine" or "Okay" even when you aren't fine or okay.
It's always confused me about why people make a choice to lie. I understand the white ones involving saying you're fine when you're not or stretching the truth in an interview, but in every day relationships telling lies always catches up with the person in one way or another and often it also leads to having to tell even more lies to cover up the first one. That takes way too much energy!
Very interesting!
Pam, you said exactly what I was thinking!
I'd never heard of the show before your hub, Teresa, and now I want to see it! i read people's expressions alot, I'd love to have more information to interpret them.
What an interesting topic!
It is an interesting show. I have enjoyed the few episodes I've had time to watch. Also, thought-provoking.
As Laughing Mom said, I too have always watched peoples facial expressions AND body language. I can stand away from someone and watch them interacting in their life, and sometimes guess pretty close as to what they're thinking at the time. I'm no expert, please don't think I'm insinuating that I am, I've just always enjoyed "reading" people. In fact, I remember when I was 12 years old (now 33) I was riding in a car with my sister, mother, and grandmother. Everyone else was oblivious to what this man and woman were doing at the end of their driveway, but as soon as I spotted them, I couldn't look away. As our car whizzed by the couple, I could tell the man was saying something and pointing at his head. I told my family, "They're fighting and he's telling her to use her head". It was funny at the time, and totally elementary, I realize that. But I've been interested in this for all of these years.
Awesome topic and awesome hub!
This is so great. Most people are out of touch with their true feelings to begin with and lie spontaneously and unconsciously to so many situations. I could agree people lie at least 3 times in 10 minutes. I'm laughing, cause this could be a fast track to finding the real self. Imagine getting to your truth the fast way! Thanks Teresa, I think I'll look into this more. Would be good to do a course in it.
Can't wait to check out this new show. Thanks for this well researched hub, Teresa.
Fascinating stuff. I remember reading about a psychology study in which information was given that was the reverse of the body language of the person delivering the information. In about every case people took the body language as the main meaning, not the spoken words. It's interesting in terms of the job interview business. We almost have to lie, and I always think, "This person has to know this is all horsepoop." You can kind of tell when they are all like, "OK now it's your turn to BS me and if you're able to recite the correct BS, then you get the job and I'll BS you a bit more." I haven't seen this show but it sounds good. Tim Roth is a great actor. Thanks for the hub!
That's interesting Pam, especially with job interviews. You are set up to lie and you put your body language into it to make sure you're believed. Hmmmm.
Hi Teresa,
After reading your hub I followed some of the links you gave. They are all interesting and I'll be returning to the pages I haven't finished. A wealth of information really. Of course, it's it's not fair to conclude that someone is lying from just some basic ideas on how people lie. Microexpressions are certainly a challenging field. Thanks for doing a hub on the topic.
My daughter and I were reading this hub together since she is doing a CSI type of re-enactment in one of her classes. She will be a detective who has to read the body language of the one they are interrogating. I do not remember doing fun stuff like that when I was in school.
I'm going to check out the microexpressions links, thanks for the great hub Teresa!
Teresa, all mothers should learn this skill! Must check the links but it may be too late.
Now I'm going to become all paranoid and stare at people when they talk to see what they're really thinking!
Interesting Hub, but I should not expect anything less! =)
I've been meaning to watch that show...I just don't watch television very often, but it sounds awesome. Reminds me of NUMB3RS, kinda similar concept...but with math! I like these new shows they've got coming out; the CSI formula has been beaten and left for dead.
G|M
Hi, my names Gemma and I'm obsest with microexpressions and unconscious gestures. The programe 'Lie To Me' has been a real eye opener for me. I am age 13 and have ambitions to become a lawyer. I am desperate to try and test out most of the stuff I have learnt from the programe and websites. I have already tried it out of family members and even people on the T.v and it has worked. I think I am a natural! I can't wait to find out. ByeBye..
Hi there
Yes the show is very interesting, I was wondering if there was any tuition or course material for this type of study.
Yor links are very handy.
Nice hub
As someone who has had to rely on body language, lip reading, and face reading for years due to not being able to hear much, I've had to develop rapid ability to read people since I was little. But I've always kept it basic to where I can catch the context of body language to the context of what people are trying to tell me.
I also have had to convey with my entire body and face what I want to tell people and end up having the personality to where I am totally blunt and honest. If you go out and read the hearing impaired folks, you would be surprised at how easy you can read them.
It's a complicated thing. I'm no expert at all and often I have had to go through misunderstandings. I think because I'm so aware of how readable I am, I have a hard time meeting people's eyes. I know once I meet someone's eyes, my face will begin conveying very obvious things: shyness, awkwardness, uncertainty, or thoughts that are running through my head. I tend to be rather emotional with my face, so it's embarrassing.
I love this hub, Teresa. :) Microexpressions are definitely incredibly interesting things to look into.
Thank you ALL for stopping by and commenting. I am very pleased that this topic is garnering so much attention, as it is another facet of understanding each other that we really could use to good effect. (Whatever helps us understand each other can't be bad!)
Wow, Sunny -- thanks so much for commenting. I was surprised not to find a tie-in with how the hearing-impaired read microexpressions in the Lie to Me series -- maybe they're keeping it for a future episode? Anyhow, it's a topic that has stayed with me, and I find myself "reading" people at every opportunity (probably incorrectly, too!).
CONGRATS! You are in the number 1 spot on the front pages of SheToldMeSo - so excited for you :)
CONGRATS! You are in the number 1 spot on the front pages of SheToldMeSo - so excited for you :)
Wow -- thank you so much for letting me know, Jane! I'm off to thank Uninvited Writer for telling us about the site.
RKHenry says:
9 months ago
Well I guess the old saying, "Keeping a straight face" has true meaning. I'll have to check out the show. Thanks Teresa.