Baselining
Establish a truth baseline
Baselining is the process of establishing a baseline of how someone behaves when they are telling the truth. This is the first step in detecting lies and reading nonverbal behavior. By understanding how someone acts, sounds, and behaves when they are honest, you can better identify when they are lying. The book provides a step-by-step guide on how to baseline, including discussing neutral topics, observing physical behavior, listening for verbal behavior, and looking for clusters of red flags.
- Establishing a baseline of truth is essential in detecting lies
- Observing physical and verbal behavior is crucial in baselining
- Clusters of red flags can indicate a lie or a touchy topic
- Discuss Neutral TopicsStart with non-threatening questions to see how the subject behaves when being honestPro tipUse small talk to establish a baselineWarningAvoid asking sensitive or confrontational questions
- Observe Physical BehaviorTake note of the subject's posture, hand gestures, and facial expressionsPro tipPay attention to inconsistencies in physical behaviorWarningDon't jump to conclusions based on a single behavior
- Listen for Verbal BehaviorPay attention to the subject's tone, pitch, and language patternsPro tipListen for inconsistencies in verbal behaviorWarningDon't rely solely on verbal cues
- Look for Clusters of Red FlagsIdentify patterns of behavior that deviate from the baselinePro tipTake note of three or more red flags in a single responseWarningDon't assume a single red flag means the person is lying
A job interviewer uses baselining to establish a truth baseline with a candidate, asking neutral questions and observing physical and verbal behavior
A person uses baselining to detect lies in a social interaction, observing physical and verbal behavior and looking for clusters of red flags
The concept of baselining is rooted in the idea that our brains are wired to detect lies and hidden emotions as a self-protection mechanism. By understanding how someone behaves when they are honest, we can better identify when they are lying. The author, Vanessa Van Edwards, has developed this framework based on her research and experience as a behavioral investigator.