The 7 magic words that help reveal a lie

Summary

In a study led by communications expert Jeff Hancock from Cornell University, participants tracked their significant interactions—emails, texts, face-to-face conversations, and phone calls—to identify when lies were told. The results showed people were least likely to lie in emails (14%) and more likely to lie in telephone calls (37%). Hancock explained that the fear of being caught in recorded words makes people hesitant to lie in emails. The study suggests that if you suspect someone might be lying, asking them to email you about it could encourage honesty.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jeff Hancock, a communications expert at Cornell University, conducted a study on lying in different forms of communication.
• 😀 Participants were asked to track their significant interactions over a week, including face-to-face conversations, emails, texts, and phone calls.
• 😀 People lied in 14% of emails, 21% of texts, 27% of face-to-face conversations, and 37% of telephone calls.
• 😀 The study found that lying is most common in phone conversations and least common in emails.
• 😀 One reason people lie less in emails is because they are aware that written words are recorded and can be referenced later.
• 😀 People feel more secure lying in phone calls or face-to-face interactions because these conversations are less permanent.
• 😀 The permanent nature of emails makes them a deterrent to lying, as the risk of getting caught is higher.
• 😀 Hancock's research suggests that people are more inclined to be truthful when their words are recorded in some form.
• 😀 To combat lying in conversations, Hancock recommends asking people to follow up with an email to confirm details.
• 😀 The study highlights the importance of communication medium in influencing honesty and the likelihood of deceit.

Q & A

What was the main objective of Jeff Hancock's study?

Jeff Hancock aimed to investigate the frequency of lies in different forms of communication and understand how people behave in these settings.

Which method did Jeff Hancock use to gather data for his study?

Hancock asked participants to track their significant face-to-face interactions, texts, emails, and phone calls over the course of a week.

What was the most common form of communication in which people lied?

The study found that people were most likely to lie in telephone calls, with a frequency of 37%.

Which form of communication had the lowest percentage of lies according to the study?

Emails had the lowest percentage of lies at 14%.

Why do people tend to lie less in emails compared to other forms of communication?

People are less likely to lie in emails because the written record can be revisited and may lead to consequences if it comes back to haunt them.

What percentage of people admitted to lying during face-to-face conversations?

The study revealed that 27% of people lied during face-to-face conversations.

What percentage of people reported lying in text messages?

21% of people admitted to lying in text messages.

What practical advice does Jeff Hancock offer if you suspect someone is lying?

Hancock suggests asking the person to follow up their statement with an email, as this may encourage them to be more truthful.

What implication does Hancock's study have for everyday communication?

The study implies that people are more cautious about lying in written communication due to the permanent record, which could be used as evidence later.

How can Hancock's findings be applied in personal or professional settings?

In personal or professional interactions, requesting confirmation via email when suspicious of a lie could help ensure more honesty and accountability.