Behavioral Indicators of Deception and Associated Mental States: Scientific Myths and Realities

We suggest a reconsideration of broad and sweeping claims that research has demonstrated that nonverbal behavior (NVB) are not indicators of deception. We reexamine several methodological characteristics of a seminal meta-analysis that is often cited as non-evidence and caution the field from drawing overgeneralized conclusions about the role of NVB as indicators of deception based on that reexamination. We review studies since then that have provided ample evidence for NVB to provide such information, and then offer additional considerations about this topic to provide additional context. Our views are based on the nature of evolved human communication mechanisms, the complexity of mental contents, and differences between unconscious and conscious mediation of behavior and words.