Liars can cough or clear their throat subconsciously when they lie, and sometimes we subconsciously, cough or clear our throats when we hear someone else lie.The symbolism is powerful. We hear someone lie or we know about a lie or secret and the topic of the lie is being discussed and we want to say the truth but, it catches in our throat. Our central nervous is responding to the dissonance. We have the truth inside but, it is blocked from coming out.
In order to
distinguish whether someone's cough, throat cleanse is a response to a speaker’s
lie note the timing, in this case, Mulvaney was not coughing and suddenly started
coughing when Trump was asked about his tax returns. Again, Mulvaney might have
had a throat irritation but, typically that would be indicated by him coughing
throughout the interview, in this case, it was an isolated cough time with a
question about Trump's tax returns.
“Trump had been asked
a question about his tax returns when someone off camera – identified as
Mulvaney – reportedly begins coughing.”
Patti Wood, MA - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com.
