Are You Being Lied To? Spotting and Avoiding Deception
As a survivalist, you need to have the right skills to stay alive before, during, and after an emergency. We all know the importance of learning how to start a fire, purify water, forage for edible plants, hunt without weaponry, and more.
But what about the skills necessary to thrive outside of an emergency situation? One such skill is learning to recognize when someone is lying to you.
Spotting and avoiding deception is essential for successfully navigating the urban environment and could be the difference between life and death in certain situations.
In the video below, former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) special agent Jim Clemente gives us insight into what signs he looks for indicating someone is lying:
According to Jim Clemente, there are three primary things to keep an eye on to determine if someone is being deceitful:
- Fight or flight response.
- Cognitive complexity.
- Perception management.
Recognizing Everyone
It’s often said that you can’t trust anyone, which is valid for the most part. Knowing when someone is being deceitful can save you from a range of scams, from finding yourself ripped off by a con man to being stabbed in the back by a friend.
Especially in a post-collapse environment, spotting a liar can help you decide how to interact with others. Do they need assistance, or are they scouting your location to invade? Do they have good intentions or aim to harm you and your family?
Fight or Flight Response
During times of intense pressure or stress, humans’ bodies often go into fight or flight mode, generating a lot of energy to either confront a threat or escape it. This is usually detectable in the way someone holds their body.
Believing they are being monitored, liars often try to keep their movements distracted to avoid giving away their true intent. They may fidget, groom themselves, or make large, noticeable movements with their body.
Cognitive Complexity
When people lie, they use shorter, more straightforward sentences that don’t require much thought. Pay close attention to the detail that someone provides. Generally, the more detailed the lie, the more likely one is to catch the liar in their deceptions.
A minor discrepancy might be acceptable, but any significant lapses in consistency should make one suspicious.
Perception Management
Liars may also try to control their physical bodies to manage their perceived image in the eyes of the audience. This can lead to a lack of movement, as the liar does not want to fidget or give away their stress.
They may also avoid eye contact and actively try to keep the conversation away from topics where they must offer detailed information.
Today’s survivalist needs to recognize that true survival requires more than just being able to fight off an emergency and that knowing how to spot a lie is an essential skill.
Recognizing the warning signs that someone is acting deceitful can save you time, money, and, in some cases, your life. So, stay aware of your surroundings and always be prepared for all situations.