DiscoverPeople Who Read People: A Behavior and Psychology PodcastCan behavior clusters help determine a lie? Tim Levine on deception detection science
Can behavior clusters help determine a lie? Tim Levine on deception detection science

Can behavior clusters help determine a lie? Tim Levine on deception detection science

Update: 2025-11-13
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Many people think there are telltale signs of lying — shifty eyes, nervous fidgeting, maybe a quick smile — that can give someone away to trained observers. But according to decades of research, that’s a myth. Still, some scientists push back on that consensus. A recent paper by well-known researcher David Matsumoto (of the company Humintell) argues that combinations of nonverbal cues might be highly useful for revealing deception. In this episode, I talk with deception researcher Tim Levine, author of Duped and creator of truth-default theory, about whether that claim holds up — and what the science says about our ability to read lies using body language.

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Can behavior clusters help determine a lie? Tim Levine on deception detection science

Can behavior clusters help determine a lie? Tim Levine on deception detection science

Zachary Elwood