Overcoming Bias

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Detecting Lies

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This is a blog on why we believe and do what we do, why we pretend otherwise, how we might do better, and what our descendants might do, if they don't all die.
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Detecting Lies

Robin Hanson
Feb 9, 2007
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Detecting Lies

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One way to avoid bias is to avoid believing lies.  Several blogs specialize in lies, such as Deception Blog and Truth, Lies, and Romance.   Here are ten good ways to detect lies:

  1. Look for inconsistencies

  2. Ask unexpected questions

  3. Compare to when they truth-tell

  4. Watch for fake smiles and emotions

  5. Listen to your gut reaction

  6. Watch for microexpressions

  7. Are words and gestures consistent

  8. Are they unusually uneasy

  9. Watch for too much detail

  10. Focus on the truths you find

I wish we had ways as good to detect self-deception.

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Detecting Lies

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Detecting Lies

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Overcoming Bias Commenter
May 15

I try consciously to be honest. I used to 'not lie' much, because of the consequences of getting caught. A reputation for trustworthyness is a good asset. But since I made the precept of honesty explicit, I learned more about myself. First I thought I would lose the seeming tactical advantage of bending the truth, but truth has equal advantages. I now know I feel the urge to lie mostly about my professional output, which tells me I'm way to attached to other peoples percetption of my social status.

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Overcoming Bias Commenter
May 15

was he writing about autists?

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