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6 Minute English bbclearningenglish.com 2010Page 2 of 5

Kate : Now lying is a very common human activity. Some people say that it's an

unavoidable part of human nature. But how can you tell if someone isn't telling

the truth?

Dan : We're going to hear from psychologist Sharon Leal, who specialises in the

science of deception . How does she say we might identify if someone is lying?

Extract 1

They tend to be more general about the things they say. They pause more. And the

structure; in truthful statements, for example, we know that people don't tend to report

things in a structured way. A motivated liar will do this; they will plan their lies.

Dan: So she says that if someone is lying, their story might sound a bit more planned

or deliberate, more structured or controlled.

Kate: She also says that a motivated liar will plan their lies. If you're motivated it

means you have a reason for doing something. So a motivated liar has a

purpose for not telling the truth.

Dan: Well there are some verbal ways of telling whether if someone is lying. But

some people say you can also find out if someone is lying with a lie detector

or polygraph machine.

Kate: A lie detector is a machine to measure your body's reactions as you answer

certain questions, to see how your body changes as you respond, and to catch

you if you're lying.

So let's listen to lie detection specialist Jeremy Barrett explaining how lie

detectors work. Can you tell me what physical reactions the lie-detector

machines claim to detect?

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Extract 2

The polygraph is, effectively, a medical instrument that measures things that happen in

your body, whether you like it or not. Your breathing, your pulse, your skin; your

galvanic skin response or the sweatiness of your palm.

Kate : OK so the polygraph claims to identify physical changes in the body if you're

lying. These include a change in breathing patterns, your pulse or heartbeat, or

increased sweating.

Dan : But some people say these tests aren't scientific enough. What's more, they

claim it's possible to trick the machine. You can do this by changing your

physical reactions when answering the 'control questions'. Can you explain

what these are Kate?

Kate : Sure, well control questions in a lie-detector test are the questions where you

are expected to lie, but not about a specific event or occasion. Theyre

questions such as 'have you ever lied to anyone in authority?' Questions that

everybody is supposed to have lied about sometime.

Dan : And if you increase your body's anxiety during the control questions by

biting down on your tongue, for example you can use these increased

reactions to fool the lie-detector machine.

Kate : George W. Maschke runs a website opposing polygraph testing. Here hes

talking about the dangers of using lie detector machines. How does he describe

polygraph testing?

Extract 3

This methodology for detecting lies has no grounding in the scientific method. It's

complete junk science.

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Dan : So he says that lie detectors or polygraphs are junk science . Junk is an

American expression meaning rubbish or something that's been thrown away.

So junk science is a theory that it cannot be justified through scientific

experiments.

Kate : He also says it has no grounding in scientific method. This means that it has

no basis or foundation in science.

Dan : Of course not all lies have bad intentions. You could be telling a white lie , for

example. Could you tell me what that means Kate?

Kate : Sure, well a white lie is a lie you might tell to make someone feel good. If you

tell someone they've lost weight, for example, even when they haven't .

Dan : A lot of white lies are a form of flattery . That is a compliment or praise, which

in some cases may be excessive or insincere.

Kate : OK, well were nearly out of time, so lets go over some of the vocabulary

weve come across today:

deception

structured

motivated

lie detector or polygraph

junk

junk sciencegrounding

white lie

flattery

Dan : And let's go back to today's question. I asked you Kate which profession

admits to lying the most?

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Kate: And straight away I went for c) politicians. But I feel I may be wrong.

Dan: Yeah you are wrong on this occasion. Actually its teachers are the ones who

admit to lying the most.

Kate : Teachers? Gosh that surprises me. I didnt think teachers were the lying type.

Dan : You wouldnt have thought so, but maybe if they have to manipulate someone,

if they want to get a certain response out of a pupil, then they will change their

questions in a lying manner.

Kate : Well thats very interesting; Ill make sure I remember that next time I bump

into a teacher.

Dan : Well, thats all we have time here at BBC Learning English, so thanks very

much for listening, and goodbye!

Kate: Goodbye!

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