What might an interviewer rely on to indicate deception prior to non-verbal cues?

An interviewer might rely on verbal content to indicate deception because the specific words and statements made by an individual can provide significant insights into their truthfulness. When someone is being deceptive, they may exhibit inconsistencies in their narrative, provide overly vague or overly detailed responses, or contradict themselves during the conversation.

Verbal content encompasses the substance of what someone says, including the logic of their story and their responses to questions. Analyzing this aspect allows an interviewer to assess the reliability of the information provided. For instance, if the details do not align perfectly or seem rehearsed or fabricated, it significantly suggests the possibility of deceit.

In contrast, emotional tone, body posture, and facial expressions can be more ambiguous and influenced by various factors such as personal habits, nervousness, or cultural differences. These non-verbal cues might support or contradict the verbal content, but they do not usually provide as clear a signal regarding deception as the actual statements made during the interview. Thus, focusing on verbal content can be a more direct way to gauge truthfulness before turning to non-verbal indicators.