Which statement about detecting lies is true?

Which statement about detecting lies is true?

• A. You can tell a lie if the person speaks in a higher pitch.
• B. There is no one cue you can look to for certain evidence of lying.
• C. Liars always show obvious signs that reveal their deception.
• D. Looking someone in the eye is a sure sign of lying.

Answer: (B)

No single cue reliably signals deception. People vary a lot in how they respond to lying, and factors like nerves, context, culture, or personality can change voice pitch, eye contact, or fidgeting for reasons other than deception. Because of this, focusing on one sign—such as a higher pitch or someone avoiding eye contact—can lead to mistaken judgments. In practice, the more trustworthy approach is to look for patterns across multiple indicators: does the story stay consistent over time, does it fit known facts, does details align plausibly, and does the person’s baseline behavior change under scrutiny. In intimate relationships, it helps to emphasize open communication, check for consistency, and seek corroborating information rather than relying on a single tell.

No single cue reliably signals deception. People vary a lot in how they respond to lying, and factors like nerves, context, culture, or personality can change voice pitch, eye contact, or fidgeting for reasons other than deception. Because of this, focusing on one sign—such as a higher pitch or someone avoiding eye contact—can lead to mistaken judgments. In practice, the more trustworthy approach is to look for patterns across multiple indicators: does the story stay consistent over time, does it fit known facts, does details align plausibly, and does the person’s baseline behavior change under scrutiny. In intimate relationships, it helps to emphasize open communication, check for consistency, and seek corroborating information rather than relying on a single tell.