Everyone’s favorite intense psychological drama The Traitors returns to BBC One on January 1 at 8pm, and we can’t wait to see all the drama unfold.
To succeed, the secretly anointed traitors must trick the other contestants into believing they are loyal, cause chaos, and outwit each other to earn cash prizes.
But how sharp are your detective skills when it comes to spotting lies? Here are some red flags to look for…
1. Stir
“Fidgeting or shaking in your seat can be a clear sign of discomfort,” highlights Chris Maddenbody language expert and a leading trauma and anxiety therapist. “A liar’s body language often reflects their inner turmoil – they may feel trapped in their own story, and this anxiety can manifest physically.
“Fine movements such as tapping the fingers, repeatedly adjusting one’s position, or shifting restlessly can indicate pressure to maintain the lie.”
2. Pitch of voice
“If possible, listen carefully to the tone of someone’s response,” advises Dr Paul Seger, senior lecturer in psychology. University of Central Lancashire. “It is common for a lie to be slightly higher than the truth. This high pitch is often caused by stress or nervousness, which increases the tension in the vocal tract.”
3. Filler words
“When someone is making up a story, their brain is working overtime to keep the lie coherent,” Madden explains. Hesitation, hesitation, or filler words like ‘um’ or ‘uh’ can indicate that they are making up their narrative on the spot.
“Even an unusual pace — speaking slower or faster than usual — can be a sign that they’re under stress.”
4. Response time
“Ask a question and then mentally estimate how long it was between the end of the question and the beginning of their answer,” suggests Seager. “Longer times indicate more thinking time, which may suggest some form of mental manipulation and deception.
“Faster reactions are more likely to be true.”
5. Unnecessary details
“Liars often compensate by adding unnecessary details, thinking it will make their story more convincing — but too much information can backfire by raising red flags,” Madden says. say “If someone is adding too many unnecessary details to their story while explaining their whereabouts, it may be their way of turning away from the truth.”
6. Sweaty palms or hoarse voice
“Stress triggers the body’s fight-or-flight response, which can cause visible physical changes,” Madden explains. “Sweaty palms, a dry mouth, or a hoarse voice may indicate that someone is feeling pressure to lie.
“If they suddenly reach for a glass of water or seem parched in the middle of a conversation, it could be more than thirst.”
7. Vague answers
“Honest answers have more specific details, while deceptive answers are more vague and general,” Seager highlighted. “Re-asking the question later is a sneaky but useful way of checking whether the answer is consistent with what was said earlier.”
8. Acute eye contact
“Contrary to popular belief, liars often overcompensate by maintaining excessive eye contact in an effort to convey the truth,” Madden says. “This exaggerated attempt to convince you of their honesty can be a subtle but telling sign that they are hiding something.
“It’s important to remember that genuine communication continues naturally, while forced behavior — such as unrelenting staring — can indicate discomfort or deception.”