Body language of blinking: When reading the body language or nonverbal communication of others one of the items that may identify deceit, lies, stress or even medical conditions is blinking. The action of blinking happens naturally and you can easily make mistakes when it comes to interpreting what blinking means.
There are some actions that people really cannot control that perform necessary functions and blinking is one of them. This action keeps the eyes moisturized but also protects the eyes from debris and bright lights.
The average person blinks every 3-12 seconds and that can work out to 8-10 blinks per minute unless under stress or medical conditions.
Under stress, while fabricating or while lying the rate of blinking may increase.
Body language of blinking and lying
One common mistake that people make when reading the body language of a boyfriend, girlfriend, husband or wife is that they are too quick to believe that excessive blinking is a definite sign of lying.
One of the signs of deception and or lying can be excessive blinking and through plenty of misinformation it’s an automatic belief in some it means lying. Now it may also be that the man or woman is under stress. You will have to be careful and baseline the person that you are examining to look for traits that would lead you to understand if it is a lie that is causing the blinking or jest the stress of being questioned. You will also want to take a look at the micro expressions that a man or woman has because if the person does not know about the accusations they should show surprise.
As a man or woman lies they may have a cluster of body language actions that happen when they start to deceive or fabricate. There may be touching of the face, excessive licking of the lips, a change in the breathing patterns, lack of eye contact, a long rub or stroke of a body part like the arm or leg. With these clusters you may notice that the blink rate would increase. This is where you would want to start questioning the story of what is going on if there is a combination of these items going on.
It could be either be the stress of the encounter or the fact that the man or woman is lying and in some instances it could be both. Just take your time before you make a judgment.
Body language of stress or fatigue
Fatigue or stress also may directly influence the rate of blinking. When being questioned by a significant other the stress alone may cause some questions about the blink rate. The signs and signals of stress or fatigue will be slower actions from the body.
Body language of blinking and allergies and medical conditions
Nervous system ailments can cause men or women to blink faster than normal and these faster blinks will be consistent for the most part.
Having contacts in may also cause extra blinking so if you know that the man or woman has contacts there is a time where you may want to count this item.
When eyes are itchy there are times where men and or women will blink faster than normal, you may see that they eyes are red and or puffy when this happens. When there is an issue or medical condition the faster blink rate may or may not be consistently fast. There are some people that when interacting with others that blink faster than what they would if they were not. People who work in dimly lit areas may also have blinking triggered.
As always I would like to thank you in advance for your comments and or questions about blinking and lying.
Now go implement!
Scott Sylvan Bell
Body language expert Scott Sylvan Bell explains the body language of blinking: Video credit
I had heard that blinking increases with lying but I did not know that stress could also cause you to blink more.
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Scott, you are right, there is never definites sign of lying (100%). There are indicators that can give you a high probability of deception. Especially rapid blinking when lying. Thanks for the enlightenment.
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I’m not a big fan of listening to or talking with people who blink a lot.
I think people who wear contact lenses blink more because of the need for more lubrication to the eye. Do you know anything about that? I believe I blink more for that reason.
Cherie Miranda
When To Meditate
Scott, isn’t the blink rate also an indicator of trance level – how in the now the person is?
Lyle R. Johnson
Sales Access to Non-Conscious
Right now it is high pollen season in Washington and I am seeing more rapid blinking. Just like Cherie I too wear contacts and blink a bit more. Thank you for the clarification on getting a baseline before jumping to the conclusion of lying.
With Passion & Conviction,
Wendy Schauer: Author – Speaker – Chiropractor – Kettlebell Trainer
I used to know this Jehovah’s Witness guy who would come by the house once a month like clockwork. He was fun to talk to but he blinked incessantly. Supposedly so that when he was conversing with “heathens” he wouldn’t get posessed by the devil…
Sabrina Peterson, NASM CPT, CES
Fat Loss and Fitness 101
I blink a lot when in rooms that are lit by fluorescent light bulbs because they are very hard on my eyes. Also I work in theaters and studios with very low levels of lighting (often work in the dark) so I tend to blink far more than the typical person.
Michael
MGM Films
I didn’t know that so many factors affected blinking. How can you use blinking in a meeting with a stranger?
Mark Hogan
It is interesting and I am glad that you mentioned that excessive blinking doesn’t always mean that someone is lying. The cluster of other body language signals to look for to back up the excessive blinking related to lying are good to know. I have to practice the art!
Lisa McLellan
Child Care Expert
Nanny Services
I like that you mention all the things that could cause excessive blinking, not just the better-known ones.
EcoFriendlyMatters @ EcoFriendlyLink
Oy, where’d my 100W light bulb go?
Scott,
Thanks for pointing out the interpretation of blinking. They may be lying, but not for sure. There are many more meanings to be considered.
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I really appreciate the fact that you (Scott) consistently advise people to “baseline” before drawing conclusions on the observed postures.
Lyle R. Johnson
Sales Access to Non-Conscious
Hi Scott,
Seriously, this is such an issue especially on a first date when the single man and woman can be feeling a bit flustered or nervous even when they are people who are very self-confident in themselves and their attractiveness level. Are they blinking and having a moment, (flaking mascara, I can’t even explain this to a man who isn’t an entertain who has ever worn mascara) or are they trying to bat and wink their eyelashes at you to flirt on your date?
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell – Internet Matchmaker SF Bay Area
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I never really watched blinking before. Will keep it mind today and observe.
Thanks.
Be Well.
Jc
Thanks for your in-depth dicussion of blinking. It can also be a trigger
for a weak immune system and pending illness. I guess you’re right that would be stress.
I have always thought of excessive blinking as someone who is lying…that will show me to be so quick to judge.
Sales Expert