[Part 1] The Million Dollar Lie: Why That Story 'Managed to Pass'

Good evening, everyone!
I am your behavioral psychologist.

Our theme this time is the million dollar lie.

However, what we are going to look at this time is

is not the question.

Why did that story 'manage to pass at first'?

We will focus on this.

From this perspective, we can see that a lie is not something that is 'found out', but rather

.

⚠️Caution⚠️

The gestures introduced here are not 'proof that someone is definitely lying,' but rather examples of signs that may reveal true feelings.

Psychologist Paul Ekman's research suggests that basic emotions are recognized universally across cultures.

In other words, 'facial expressions and gestures are universal human clues.'

However, please do not forget that the goal is not to 'suspect the other person,' but to practice 'hospitality' and 'sincerity' in order to understand them.

1. Case Overview

This case involves a woman who claimed to have won a 'million dollar prize'.

She says this:

However, there were several problems with that ticket.

• Cannot be scanned

• Torn

• Repaired with tape

Looking at this alone, many people would likely feel it is 'suspicious'.

However, at this stage, the story has still 'managed to hold up'.

This is the starting point for this discussion.

2. The Initial Testimony

She says the following:

At first glance, this is a natural statement.

In fact, most people would likely feel that it is 'plausible'.

However, this single remark already contains a 'structure' that will have a significant impact later on.

Let's pause here for a moment and take a look.

3. Why No Sense of Incongruity Arises

Why is this statement accepted without being judged as 'suspicious'?

This involves the characteristics of human cognition.

1. The amount of information creates a 'sense of reality'

This is not specific information.

However, information as a quantity does exist.

People tend to perceive realism through the 'volume' of information rather than its 'accuracy'.

In other words, this is a state where the sense of reality is being supplemented by the 'volume of actions' while blurring the core detail of 'where it was purchased'.

(2) Ambiguity is not an 'escape' but a 'process'

At first glance, this expression looks like an evasion, but in reality, it is a bit more complex.

People have a tendency to

• when they cannot recall accurately

• when it is difficult to construct on the spot

avoid definitive statements.

In other words, what is happening here is not mere deception, but a 'choice to reduce processing load'.

At this point, the narrative has not yet collapsed.

(3) Emotions are 'not coming out first'

This is a very important point.

Normally, an event like 'winning a million dollars' should be accompanied by strong emotions.

After all, it changes your life 180 degrees.

However, in this narrative, emotions are barely coming to the surface.

What does this mean?

I will not draw a conclusion here, but I will leave just one hint.

People can hide their emotions.

However, the processing itself cannot be hidden.

4. The Structure of a Successful Lie

Let's take a moment here to organize everything.

At this point in the narrative, there is a simultaneous presence of:

• a sense of reality through the amount of information

• avoiding burden through ambiguity

• emotional control

all at once.

In other words, it is not passing because it is a well-crafted lie.

It is simply that the conditions for it to collapse have not yet been met.

There is an important perspective here.

People often think that "lies are bound to be discovered."

However, the reality is the opposite.

A lie "holds up until it collapses."

So, when does it collapse?

It is when it becomes necessary to keep processing it.

In other words,

• it holds up at first

• next, it requires maintenance

• finally, it falls apart

This is the sequence that emerges.

I will leave one word here.

"Loop"

I will address the meaning of this word next time.

5. Next Episode Preview

The narrative will change from here on.

At first, it is a "narrative that holds up."

However, after this, it will change into a "narrative that maintains itself," and eventually, it will become a narrative that collapses.

Next time, in [Part 2], we will explore how people continue to maintain lies, and break down the underside of the narrative from the perspective of this "loop structure."

Sources

• Ekman, P. (2003) "Emotions Revealed"

• Vrij, A. (2008) "Detecting Lies and Deceit"

• Navarro, J. (2008) "What Every BODY is Saying"

• Ambady, N., & Rosenthal, R. (1992) "Thin slices of expressive behavior"

• DePaulo, B. M. et al. (2003) "Cues to deception"

Finally

Thank you for reading this far! Your "likes" and follows are a great encouragement. If you found this even slightly "useful" or "interesting," please be sure to "like" and follow. 🙇‍♂️

Please also consider email consultations.

If

• behavioral psychology

• reading gestures

• Interpersonal relationships

• Communication

and so on.

If you are someone who feels this way, please consider reaching out via email for a consultation.

I will do my best to respond carefully, within the scope of what I can do.

Magazine

These are the magazines I have participated in! I am truly grateful, and I look forward to this connection continuing in the future! 🙇

Also, this article of mine was featured, so please take a look and read it 🙇

Here are some others!

The "I remember..." series is a five-part work, so if you'd like, I think it will be easier to understand if you read it from the beginning.

I also recommend this one!

Please check this out too!

For those who want to learn more, deepen their understanding of reading gestures, and study diagrams and case-specific responses, please see the paid articles 👇

※Recommended for those who want to correctly understand gestures and engage in dialogue that utilizes "hospitality" and "sincerity" while reducing misunderstandings.

Also, everyone, please take care of your health and your bodies.

See you later!!!