Jeff Wise shows us poor plebeians of Obamaland how the IRS is trying to bamboozle us with hogwash. Enjoy.
Via Psychology Today:
#1 Have a reason. Basically, says Ford, the trick is to lie as little as possible – only when you actually have something to gain.
#2 Lay your groundwork. Don’t wait until you’re under the interrogation lamp to start putting your story together.
#3 Tell the truth, misleadingly. You’re telling the truth, but in a way that leaves a false impression. Technically, it’s only a prevarication – about half a sin.
#4 Know your target. Good liars have the same gift as good communicators: the ability to get inside the listener’s head. Empathy not only clues you in to what your subject wants to hear, it will help you avoid stepping onto trip wires that will trigger their suspicions.
#5 Keep your facts straight. That means nailing down the details. Write down notes if you have to.
#6 Stay focused. One of the reasons most people make bad liars is that they find lying a deeply unpleasant activity. Fear and guilt are evident in their facial expressions.
#7: Watch your signals. In his 1999 study of high school students, Feldman found that nonverbal signals were crucial in determining who got away with telling lies.
#8: Turn up the pressure. If your target has clearly become suspicious, it’s time to raise the emotional stakes.
#9: Counterattack. The fact is, just as most of us are uncomfortable telling lies, most are uncomfortable accusing others. This discomfort can be used in the liar’s favor.
#10: Bargain. Even when the jig is up, liars can often escape the worst by using a process psychologists call bargaining.
