Slouching, repeatedly touching their face and sitting unnaturally still are among the signs someone is lying, according to experts.
The next time your partner seems to be hiding something or a friend makes excuses about why they can’t make your get-together, keep an eye on their body language and posture.
In addition to slouching, liars will often shrink to make themselves appear smaller – and they may also lean away from the person they’re fibbing to.
The insights were provided by therapist and behavioural specialist, Dr Sally Baker, who has teamed-up with MTV to mark the launch of its new show, True Love or True Lies, which premieres at 9pm tomorrow (Monday August 6).
Other signs someone is lying include dilated pupils, being expressionless and mirroring movements – for instance, touching their hair as you do and taking a sip of a drink as you do.
But contrary to widespread opinion, avoiding eye contact isn’t necessarily a sign someone is lying.
Dr Sally Baker said: “Many people think a liar is unable to make eye contact.
“However a liar is aware of this perception and may often make the effort to keep strong eye contact with whoever they are lying too.
“The liar may also cross their legs so that their top leg blocks the person they are lying to – they also may sit with their back half turned towards the person they are lying to.”
MTV also commissioned research of 2,000 UK adults which found three quarters admit they lie – typically 48 times a year.
And when doing so, 55% avoid eye contact, two in five are purposely vague with their responses and around one third tend to fidget.
Three in 10 use mannerisms they wouldn’t normally use, more than one quarter talk ‘differently’ to how they would ordinarily and 23% take long pauses before answering any questions.
But while 30% think they are good at lying – just 15 per cent believe they could beat a lie detector.
An honest 37% believe it is NEVER okay to lie.
The most common fib among those polled is simply stating everything is fine, followed by pretending to like a gift you’ve received.
Saying you’re busy, lying about being stuck in traffic and saying you’re on your way round off the top five most common untruths.
Researchers also found Brits tend to lie their partner most frequently, followed by their work colleagues and their boss.
But our other halves are also the person we find it hardest to fib to.
Dr Sally Baker, added: “Sometimes people lie to build themselves up – to have the advantage and their lies are self-serving.
“Some people just lie all the time, small inconsequential lies that allow them to hide their true-self and they may be motivated by lack of self-esteem.
“Lying can be habit forming though and can become normalised over time.
“Some people’s lies are survival strategies that require them to weave an ever more complex web of lies that interconnect with their previous lies.
“That’s exhausting, and if you listen to their story, you might well be able to catch out inconsistencies.
TOP FIVE TIPS TO SPOT A LIAR:
TOP 20 – MOST COMMON LIES:
For more information about MTV’s True Love or True Lies click here [ http://www.mtv.co.uk/true-love-or-true-lies ]
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