Advanced Cues
High signal

Duping Delight

A flash of pleasure that can appear when a person believes a deception is succeeding.

Body
Channel
High
Reliability
Advanced
Difficulty to Read
Example

Mid story a faint smile slips out that does not fit the serious account being given. The pleasure appears out of place, hinting at a private satisfaction the words do not explain.

How to Read It

Notice pleasure that seems out of place with the words, especially during a guarded account. A smile that does not match the moment can suggest the person is enjoying something unsaid.

A Word of Caution

Misplaced smiles have many innocent causes, so this is a weak sign on its own. Nervous smiling and private amusement look much the same, so never rest a judgement on it.