Dimensions of Deception and Truth Analysis

One of the questions we are frequently asked when our Clients utilize our platform is: What language has your algorithm flagged as either deceptive or truthful? Previously we were reluctant to open our Intellectual Property with such granularity, anxious that it might aid one of our competitors. However, within the next month we will disclose categorically the more than 30 behavioral differences between deceivers and truthtellers identified by deception scientists that we rely upon.* Internally we refer to these as the DATA Dimensions.

The Dimensions of Deception And Truth Analysis are something that decision makers are sure to find insightful as they use our innovative platform to make better decisions. Furthermore, knowledge of our DATA Dimensions can aid you in your interpersonal and business communications. That is, knowledge of the Dimensions means that you can begin to listen to the people whose representations you rely upon in your work with new meaning and clarity.

Without further adieu…here are the Dimensions of Deception And Truth Analysis…

Deceivers tend to obfuscate their information, including answers to questions. Sometimes this is done by being overly complex. Truth tellers are forthright and do not usually withhold information.

Deceivers and truthtellers act differently in social situations, such as in-person, on conference calls, when giving speeches, and so on. One such behavioral difference is that deceivers try and ingratiate themselves to others in a social situation to a greater degree than truthtellers.

Deceivers and truthtellers behave differently with regards to establishing status and power. As an example, deceivers usually try and control a conversation more than a truthteller.

Deceivers typically have a preferred and singular narrative that they want their audience to believe. Whereas, truthtellers are more openminded and willing to consider other points of view.

Truthtellers when recalling an event or a story are much more granular as compared with deceivers. 

Deceivers like to talk about the past and the future and are uncomfortable in the present moment. It is believed that this is because they are trying to distract their audience from present moment awareness. Truthtellers tend to be more present moment focused. 

There are miscellaneous other language differences between deceivers and truth tellers.

* Note 1: Our Intellectual Property and analyses rely on other key insights and not just a knowledge of the differences in behavioral tendencies of deceivers and truthtellers.

** Note 2: A previous version of this article used different names for the DATA Dimensions. The change was motivated by an internal discussion about how to communicate the Dimensions more clearly. A map of the old language for Dimensions to the revised Dimensions is: Clarity => Clarity; Authenticity => Authenticity; Influence => Tolerance; Opinions => Flexibility; Descriptions => Precision; Nowness => Focus. An advantage of the new Dimensions language is that new continuum labels allow for opposite ends of the continuum to be true antonyms. For example, Unfocused vs. Focused.