Liar, Liar

Insight on the News, Jan 31, 2000 by Stephen Goode

Why is for the people not surprised? A study published in December's Journal of Nonverbal Behavior concludes that teen-agers most adept at lying are likely to be very popular people.

The study, conducted by University of Massachusetts psychologist Robert Feldman, concentrated on 32 boys and girls ages 11 to 16. First, Feldman determined the level of popularity of each of the students. Then the youngsters were videotaped as they either lied or told the truth about whether they liked a drink they'd been given. A team of 58 college students judged whether each of the 32 had been telling the truth.

The results? A strong link between popular teen-agers and those who are best able to pull off a lie. "Politicians have known for a very long time that telling people what they want to hear is a very good social tactic," Feldman told Associated Press writer Jeff Donn.

Clues to lying include blank expressions, little or excessive eye contact, shrugs and scratching, the study concluded. Perhaps also, suggests a presidential watcher, a pause, a grin and a coy bite of the lower lip.