Soothing actions such as stroking the neck or rubbing the legs that calm the nervous system.
Under questioning a person repeatedly smooths the back of the neck with one hand. The hand returns again and again to settle a rising unease the face is trying to hide.
A rise in pacifying behaviour signals that the person is working to manage stress. The moment the soothing increases usually marks the point where the pressure grows.
Stress has many sources, so identify what prompted the soothing before drawing meaning. A difficult memory, a hard question or simple discomfort can all set it off.
The escape of true feeling through small signals despite efforts to conceal it.
ExploreA flash of pleasure that can appear when a person believes a deception is succeeding.
ExploreSignals that a person is thinking hard, such as pauses, gaze aversion and slowed gestures.
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