You Can’t Lie to Me

About the Author

Janine Driver is a world-renowned body language expert and the founder and president of the Body Language Institute. With a career background as a federal law enforcement investigator, she has trained agents at the ATF, CIA, and FBI. Her expertise in lie detection and body language has made her a sought-after keynote speaker and a go-to expert for the media. Driver is also the author of the New York Times best seller, You Say More Than You Think.

Main Idea

In You Can't Lie to Me, Janine Driver presents a revolutionary program to supercharge your internal lie detector and accurately identify deception. Through nearly two decades of research, cutting-edge science, and relatable case studies, Driver teaches readers how to protect themselves from liars and manipulators in various aspects of life, such as job applicants, coworkers, dates, salespeople, and more. The book aims to strengthen and deepen relationships by fostering authenticity and trust.

Table of Contents

1. Powering Up Your BS Barometer
2. The Truth About Lying
3. Common Myths About Lying
4. How the BS Barometer Process Works
5. Mastering the BS Barometer Process
6. The Stakeout
7. The Full Body Surveillance
8. The Interrogation
9. Your BS Barometer in the Big Picture
10. Getting Back to Trust
11. The Self-Exam

Powering Up Your BS Barometer

Driver begins by introducing the concept of the "BS Barometer," a mental tool designed to detect deception. She emphasizes that everyone lies and highlights the importance of understanding the reasons behind lies. She notes that while chronic liars and sociopaths lie without guilt, most people lie out of self-protection or to avoid conflict. Driver provides insights into the psychology of lying and how power dynamics influence the ease with which people lie.

"When people in power lie, they focus on rewards more than on costs—they spend much more energy thinking about what they stand to gain than what they stand to lose." —Janine Driver

The Truth About Lying

Driver explores the various motivations behind lying, ranging from self-preservation to avoiding tension and conflict. She points out that while lying is a common human behavior, it is often difficult to detect due to widespread myths and misconceptions about lying behaviors. For instance, many believe that liars have shifty eyes or never make eye contact, but research shows that these are not reliable indicators of deception.