You Can Learn a Lot About Someone’s Mind From the Way They Talk
From The Observatory
Talking is harder than it seems. Even though it doesn’t look physically tiring, speaking uses a lot of mental effort. Our brains are constantly planning what we’re going to say, organizing words, and listening to others at the same time. Researchers have found that this hidden effort can be measured by giving people another task, like tracking a moving dot on a computer, while they talk. People do worse on the extra task when they’re speaking, showing that talking is mentally demanding. Listening is easier, but it also becomes harder when it’s time to respond.
This mental effort matters for detecting lies. Lying requires remembering real events, creating false details, and hiding the truth all at once, which makes talking even more difficult. Humans are generally bad at spotting lies, often performing no better than random guessing. However, computer programs that analyze language patterns in speech and writing can do a better job. Truthful statements tend to use more detailed and abstract language, while lies are simpler, vaguer, and less nuanced.
The same challenges apply on a larger scale to fake news. False stories are designed to grab attention and engage emotions, spreading faster than real news. Detecting fake news is difficult, even with technology. Algorithms are improving, but human judgment still struggles because false information is surprising, emotional, and widely shared.
Understanding how talking works and how language reveals mental effort can help us think more critically about the information we receive. People who pause, think analytically, and consider the plausibility of a story are better at spotting lies and fake news than those who rely on gut instinct. Advances in computer analysis may improve lie detection and help prevent harm, but they also raise questions about privacy and potential misuse. Being aware of the hidden work behind talking—and how it can be analyzed—gives insight into both human communication and the challenges of navigating truth in today’s media.
Read the full article “You Can Learn a Lot About Someone’s Mind From the Way They Talk” by Maryellen MacDonald
🔭 This summary was human-edited with AI-assist.
