The current study utilizes dynamical systems and embodiment theory to better understand how movement dynamics impactdeception detection. While research has consistently revealed humans are often no better than chance at discriminatinga truth from a lie, individuals may reveal more than they know through the dynamic movement of the face and the bodybeyond discrete gestures traditionally examined in deception detection research (e.g., rise of a brow). As expected, thepresent study found that the dynamic stabilities of facial and body movements were significantly influenced by deceptiveintent such that untruthful statements elicited less stability in both the face and upper body. Moreover, despite detectionlevels no greater than chance, the accuracy of observers to detect deceptive intent covaried with these dynamic stabilities.The research presented provides another piece to the illusive puzzle of deception detection, affording researchers andpractitioners a possible tool to tap into deceptive intent.

Interpersonal coordination is essential for successfulcooperative action. Beyond synchronized joint action toachieve a goal such as moving furniture, humans tend tospontaneously coordinate movement in everyday action (i.e.,coordinated limb movement during walking). Furthermore,these actions are said to arise from the interaction dominantdynamics between agents and foment cooperative behavior. Assuch, existing research demonstrates that closer affiliation isassociated with entrainment of physiological signals includingheart beat and rhythmic limb movement. Considering the rolesocial stigmatization plays in disrupting social interaction, thepresent research investigated the impact of concealable stigmadisclosure (depression diagnosis or bisexual identity)—as aperturbation to a nonlinear dynamical system—oninterpersonal coordination and affiliation. Study 1 resultsdemonstrate that depression disclosure may lead to more socialdistancing in a collision avoidance walking task compared tobisexual and neutral disclosures. In study 2, interactionimproved affiliation regardless of disclosure type.

The current study incorporates concepts from dynamicalsystems theory (DST) and embodied cognition topropose a novel method of answering traditionalquestions in social psychology. Namely, we wereinterested in understanding postural sway complexityduring the important interpersonal task of disclosing ahidden stigmatized identity (e.g., mental health disorder,history of sexual abuse). Using detrended fluctuationanalysis and multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis,we captured postural activity while people shared theirpersonal secrets to an imagined other. Results suggestthat disclosure context, defined by both disclosureconfidant and antecedent goals, is indeed embodied inour complex postural activity.