Subconscious Lie Detection Better Than Conscious

/2 Comments/in , /by

geralt / Pixabay

A study out of the University of California, Berkeley, found that we are better at picking up deception with our subconscious brain. It appears when we consciously try to spot a lie, we interfere with our innate system.

You know the old saying, “Don’t second guess yourself” or “Trust your first gut instinct”.  There is definitely something to this.

Dr. David Eagleman, a neuroscientist, out of Baylor University, says our conscious brain is only a small portion of our brain.  In his terms, its the “broom closet” of our mind. Most of what goes on in our head is unknown to us, though it is the engine by which we move and make decisions. It happens as Eagleman says “under the hood”–under your conscious awareness.

So the next time you wonder what is going on, and you don’t know for sure, you are probably best to trust your gut instinct rather than question it.

[polldaddy poll=9361615]

Poll: Can a person lie to your subconscious brain?

/11 Comments/in , /by
geralt / Pixabay

geralt / Pixabay

This weekend I wrote about a fun social experiment I tried on my poor unsuspecting husband.  He fell asleep while resting in the sun and I wanted to see if I could lie to his subconscious brain.  I told him after he slept for maybe 5 or 6 minutes that he was out for an hour.

Was my lie successful? Did his subconscious brain know better or not?

What do you think?  Can you someone lie to you and fool your subconscious brain?

[polldaddy poll=9182939]

Did you know I am holding publicly open 3-day course on how to spot a liar?  Check it out!

Milwaukee

Fun Social Experiment

/1 Comment/in /by
bykst / Pixabay

bykst / Pixabay

Today my husband and I had a bunch of fall chores to do, but with the sun shining bright, we decided to take a few minutes off to sit in the sun. It’s a real joy to feel the last warm rays of the season as it won’t be long until the snow flies.

I have recently been fascinated with exploring the subconscious mind because I believe much of what I know has come from deep within me–not my conscious thoughts–but rather my unconscious or subconscious brain.  I believe it powers us more than any of us ever realize, and recently Dr. David Eagleman, a cool neuroscientist, explained as much on The Brain, a series on PBS.

So as my husband and I relaxed in the sun today, we both became quiet and closed our eyes.  To my surprise, after having a nice conversation maybe five minutes before, I looked over to see my husband fast asleep.

I watched his mouth drop open, and his breathing level as he drifted deeper and deeper.  I pondered for a minute:  He is out cold, sleeping without question. What if I did a little experiment?!

What if I woke up him and said, “Hey!  You’re sleeping!  Do you know how long you slept?  You got a whole hour in!”

I wondered if I could lie to his unconscious brain.

I know he wasn’t consciously awake. I could have gotten up and walked away and he wouldn’t have noticed.

Would he know if I lied?

Or would he believe that he did rest that long and could I trick him into feeling refreshed?  Which means he would be more productive for the rest of the afternoon! Ha!

When I went to wake him, he jumped–cajoled from his nap!  He was truly out.

Do you think he fell for my lie?  Or not?

Why do you believe what you believe?

I found this utterly fascinating!

And I can’t lie, so I confessed the truth to him in a matter of minutes and he found it quite humorous! Thank goodness.