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Non-verbal Communication vs Statement Analysis
When we communicate with those around us we usually do so by vocalizing our thoughts and feelings. However, verbalization only makes up about half of the communication process. We also convey our true feelings through our body language. Our nonverbal communication can sometimes speak just as loud as our words. People may be verbally telling us one thing, but displaying conflicting nonverbal signals. We can sometimes use these nonverbal signals to detect deception.
For most people, knowingly telling a lie creates some degree of stress. This stress will usually surface in the form of a body movement. This is similar to the principle that governs a polygraph test. A polygraph will measure a person's heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure and perspiration. When abnormal changes occur in these areas it is a sign the person is under some stress. Even though the subject may claim he didn't do it, the polygraph is detecting stress which indicates he may be lying. While you cannot detect someone's heart rate just by looking at them, there are other nonverbal signals you can recognize which may indicate a person is being untruthful. These signals include the hands covering the mouth, rubbing the back of the neck, adjusting their clothing, running their fingers through their hair, crossing their arms and legs and a shifting of the eyes.
Despite it's usefulness, there are several reasons why I feel an interviewer should not focus on a person's non-verbs. If your attention is drawn to the interviewee's body movements, then you probably are not listening to everything the person is saying. This is important because people's words will betray them. It may only be one or two words that will let you know this person is being deceptive. If you focus on their hands, feet, and eyes, then you may miss these few words that reveal their true thoughts.
In order to interpret non-verbs effectively you first have to establish the normal body movements for the person being interviewed. This is done at the beginning of the interview when you are asking the person questions he should be answering truthfully. Questions such as, "What is your name?" "What is your address?" "What is your telephone number?" should not be stressful questions. As the person answers these questions look to see what type of actions he is displaying. Later on when you start asking more sensitive questions you then look for any abnormal movements. When the hands start to move or the eyes suddenly look away this can be a sign of deception. Establishing normal body movements at the beginning of the interview is the key to reading nonverbal signals. A problem arises when you do not have a chance to establish the norms. For example, you may turn on the television and watch a news reporter interview a prominent person. Many times the actual interview will be one hour in length. However, for the television broadcast the interview will be edited to fifteen minutes. The editors will delete some of the nonessential questions and answers. They will only televise the responses that deal with the incident at hand. As the interviewee displays various nonverbal signals you cannot say his actions indicate he is being deceptive. You do not know what is normal for him because you were not able to watch him during the first part of his interview.
With Statement Analysis, you do not have to establish any norms. Most of the time you can look at one question and one answer and determine if the person is answering the question truthfully. You can take one statement and obtain additional information from that statement. This is all possible because people mean exactly what they say.
Another problem with non-verbs is that the information conveyed through nonverbal communication is not specific. Let's say you do establish the norms for the person you are interviewing. You ask this person if he performed a certain act and he denies doing it. However, while making his denial he performs the abnormal movement of rubbing the back of his neck. Does this mean he is lying? The bottom line is you do not know. This nonverbal cue probably means he was asked a very sensitive question. Despite his nervous actions, he could be answering the question truthfully. Non-verbs can tell us if a person is under some stress. However, this stress does not always equate to deception.
Statement Analysis is usually very specific because people mean exactly what they say. If a person says he is "thinking about buying a car," that is exactly what he means. He has not told you he did buy a car. He has not told you he will buy a car. All he has stated is that he is considering buying a car. Now that example may seem rather simplistic, but the same rule applies when the question is asked, "Do you know who did it?" and the person answers, "I can't think of anyone." This answer may sound good, but the subject has not told us he does not know of anyone who would do this. All he is saying is at this present moment in time he cannot think of anyone. Perhaps with a little prodding he may have a better recollection.
My final argument in support of Statement Analysis is that in order to read nonverbal signals the subject must be present. You have to visually watch him to see what he is telling you through his body movements. With Statement Analysis the subject does not have to be present. You can use Statement Analysis when speaking with someone on the telephone. You cannot use non-verbs in a telephone conversation. With Statement Analysis you can take a written statement and determine if the subject is being truthful or deceptive. Again, you cannot apply the non-verbal techniques to a written statement. With Statement Analysis, you do not have to see the person, hear the person or know anything about the person in order to determine truth or deception. When we compare non-verbs with Statement Analysis, we find the following differences:
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Non-verbs Establish norms Not specific Presence required |
Statement Analysis No norms Very specific Presence not required |
Whether you are conducting an interview, watching an interview, or just speaking with someone your main focus should be on the person's language. Listen to what people are telling you. Your secondary concern should be the nonverbal signals displayed by the interviewee. Non-verbs should be used in conjunction with the Statement Analysis. If a person displays an obvious nonverbal signal, then take note of it. However, if you concentrate on the non-verbs you will miss what the person is telling you.
