Outsmarting the Liars: Toward a Cognitive Lie Detection Approach

TLDR

Decades of lie detection research show that detecting deception from behavior and speech is limited because cues are faint and unreliable. The study aims to guide interviewers to ask questions that elicit and amplify verbal and nonverbal cues of deception. The authors propose a cognitive‑load–based lie detection approach comprising an imposing‑cognitive‑load strategy that makes interviews harder for liars, and a strategic‑questioning strategy that identifies questions eliciting the greatest differential responses between liars and truth‑tellers.

Abstract

Five decades of lie detection research have shown that people’s ability to detect deception by observing behavior and listening to speech is limited. The problem is that cues to deception are typically faint and unreliable. The aim for interviewers, therefore, is to ask questions that actively elicit and amplify verbal and nonverbal cues to deceit. We present an innovative lie detection perspective based on cognitive load, demonstrating that it is possible to ask questions that raise cognitive load more in liars than in truth tellers. This cognitive lie detection perspective consists of two approaches. The imposing-cognitive-load approach aims to make the interview setting more difficult for interviewees. We argue that this affects liars more than truth tellers, resulting in more, and more blatant, cues to deceit. The strategic-questioning approach examines different ways of questioning that elicit the most differential responses between truth tellers and liars.