Point Lookout: a free weekly publication of Chaco Canyon Consulting
Volume 13, Issue 48;   November 27, 2013: Some Truths About Lies: III

Some Truths About Lies: III

by

Detecting lies by someone intent on misrepresentation is an important skill for executives, managers, project managers, and just about anyone involved in knowledge-oriented organizations. Here's Part III of our little collection of lie detection techniques.
The molecular structure of Oleic Acid (a cis fat, top), and Elaidic Acid (a trans fat, bottom)

The molecular structure of Oleic Acid (a cis fat, top), and Elaidic Acid (a trans fat, bottom). The two fats have identical numbers of carbon atoms (black), hydrogen atoms (white) and oxygen atoms (red). The numbers of different bond types are also identical. The difference between the two is the placement of the carbon-carbon double bonds near the middle of the chains. In the trans fat version (Elaidic Acid, bottom), the carbon-carbon double bonds are across from each other (hence the name trans fat). In the cis fat version, the Oleic Acid, the carbon-carbon double bonds are adjacent to each other, which causes a bend in the chain at that point. (The prefix cis is from Latin. It means "on this side").

The molecules of the trans isomer are able to pack tightly together to form a solid at temperatures of the human body and slightly above. The molecules of the cis isomer aren't able to do so. They are liquids. This solidification property makes the trans fat an attractive ingredient for foods, because it extends shelf life by preventing rancidity. It also makes the trans fat a deadly ingredient in food, because it solidifies and collects on arterial walls, contributing to heart disease. Photos courtesy Wikipedia.

It's often difficult to detect a lie, but detecting lies can be much easier. Although spotting a single instance of a misleading statement can be difficult, we can often detect deceptions that might otherwise escape our notice if they're part of a series of statements offered over a period of time. One form that facilitates this scenario is the interview.

The term interview connotes a friendly question-and-answer format that we might encounter in print media or broadcast media. But the term also applies to a nonaccusatory question-and-answer session during or after presentations at meetings, or in a one-on-one meeting with one's supervisor, or any of dozens of other situations at work. Interviews are distinguished from interrogations, which are clearly accusatory.

Here's Part III of our little catalog of indicators that suggest the handiwork of a deceiver, emphasizing techniques that apply during interviews. See "Some Truths About Lies: I," Point Lookout for August 4, 2004, for more.

Unpleasantness, defensiveness, or intimidation
Although many follow-up questions are motivated by innocent confusion or a search for clarity, some deceivers experience follow-up questions as challenges to the deceiver's claims. To prevent further follow-up questions, deceivers who fear that their deceptions aren't working sometimes express resentment or anger in response to follow-up questions. Rarely are these emotional displays real in the conventional sense. The deceivers are just using intimidation as a diversion to prevent further probing.
Deceivers who use intimidation, anger, sarcasm, or other means of deterring further questioning are at best failing to cooperate with the interviewer; at worst, they're concealing something important.
That can't be it; it's too small
Deceivers intent on discrediting evidence of errors, negligence, or wrongdoing sometimes assert that evidence is invalid because it's inconclusive on its own, even when it is valid as part of a complete pattern of evidence, or when it typifies incidents that have occurred numerous times. For example, consuming one gram of trans fat doesn't cause coronary artery disease. But consuming one gram per day for thirty years probably would.
Evidence dismissed by the deceiver prematurely as insufficient could indicate a desire to conceal a larger body of damning evidence. During the interview, take note of repeated use of this technique.
An answer for everything
When interviewers When interviewers probe for more
complete disclosure of deceivers'
positions, some deceivers have
exculpatory responses for
absolutely every question
probe for more complete disclosure of deceivers' positions, some deceivers have exculpatory responses for absolutely every question. Such a 100% performance isn't typical outside the realm of deception, because most people have only incomplete knowledge of any given situation.
More important, though, deceivers know that they're deceiving. Some are a little frightened about it. They tend to compensate by presenting stories without holes. But since some highly sophisticated deceivers know that ironclad stories are the mark of the deceiver, they do include some (unimportant) holes now and then.

We'll continue next time with more techniques for detecting lies using the interview.  Some Truths About Lies: I First issue in this series   Some Truths About Lies: IV Next issue in this series  Go to top Top  Next issue: Some Truths About Lies: IV  Next Issue

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Forthcoming issues of Point Lookout

A close-up view of a chipseal road surfaceComing July 3: Additive bias…or Not: II
Additive bias is a cognitive bias that many believe contributes to bloat of commercial products. When we change products to make them more capable, additive bias might not play a role, because economic considerations sometimes favor additive approaches. Available here and by RSS on July 3.
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As the saying goes, "You can't delegate your own accountability." Despite wide knowledge of this aphorism, people try it from time to time, especially when overcome by the temptation of a high-risk decision. What can you delegate, and how can you do it? Available here and by RSS on July 10.

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