The first of this theory is called the four-factor model mechanism. The first among the four is arousal mechanism. According to psychologists, lying produces anxiety and arousal. This is because of the dissonance at conflicting values and behaviors or fear of being caught. It can be detected through speech errors and hesitations etc. The second mechanism is called behavioral control. Body language is controlled to avoid being detected. In most cases it is impossible and leakage often occurs. Sometimes when the face is being controlled the legs give one away. The third mechanism is called emotional mechanism. Emotions change when lie is told. Guilt may appear and micro-motion in facial muscles can betray hidden emotions. The last of the four mechanism is called thinking mechanism. In order to lie, thinking must be harder so as to ensure coherence in arguments. It leads to speaking with pauses and generalization rather than providing specific details. According to Zuckerman, De Paula and Rosenthal, (1981), “pupil dilation is a good indication of deception”.

Another theory that help psychologist to detect when an individual is lying is information manipulation. This theory states that in order to persuade or deceive, a person deliberately breaks one of the four conversational maxims. The maxims are quantity, quality, relation and manner. According to Mc Comack, Levine, Solowczuk, Torres and Campbell, (1992), the information in a lie tend to be true and without omission. This tends to make it appear to be truthful and correct. It is also relevant to the subject matter of conversation. The events are presented in a way that enables people understand and believe them to be true.

Another theory is the interpersonal deception theory. This theory states that lying happens in a dynamic interaction where liar and listener dance around one another. They change their thoughts in response to each other’s move. According to Burgoon and Buller, (1996), “liar behavior includes manipulating information, strategically controlling behavior and image management. Liars manipulate information so that they can extricate themselves if the message is found to be false. The liar uses vague generalizations and talk about other people. He strategically controls behavior so as to suppress signals that might indicate that he is lying”.

Another theory called behavioral theory is propounded by J.B Watson. J.B. Watson, the “father” of behaviorism opined that all behavior and behavioral change stem from learning through classical conditioning. Marx and Heimberg, (2005), opined that there are three major factors in classical conditioning. They are the unconditioned stimulus and response, the conditioned stimulus and the conditioned response. The unconditioned stimulus is any stimulus that is capable of producing a reflexive response.

Another of the theory called cognitive theory is concerned with the mind. According to Ledley, Marx & Heimberg, 2005, thoughts are important because they are intervening variables between stimulus and response. The theory and its associated therapy were developed by Beck in 1960s. Ledley, Marx and Heimberg, (2005), opined that it has since been applied to general problems of daily living. The cognitive theory states that distorted or dysfunctional thinking underlies all psychological disturbances. It also affects mood and behavior. The key idea of the theory is that it is not events themselves that affect our behavior but rather how we perceive events. Cognitive theory is concerned with the central core beliefs. The beliefs about oneself, other people and the world form from childhood based on the experiences that we have as we are growing up. Core beliefs are understandings that are so fundamental and deep that the person regards them as “absolute truths”. They are global and apply to situations in general. The core belief is different from automatic thought which is described as the actual words or images that go through a person’s mind. Automatic thoughts are situation – specific. Between core beliefs and automatic thoughts are “attitudes”, rules, principles and assumptions (Ledley, Marx & Heimberg, 2005). The cognitive model posits that when people find themselves in tight situations, automatic thoughts are activated. These are directly influenced by their core beliefs and intermediate beliefs. Automatic thoughts then influence our reactions to these situations. It is because our fundamental beliefs impact our thought in any given situation, that different people have different reactions to the same situations. How this theory does apply to lying? When a person is lying, his automatic thought still reveals the hidden truth.

The last of the theory is called cognitive behavioral theory. This theory incorporates the cognitive and the behavioral approaches in understanding human behavior. The behavioral theory focuses on observable, measurable behavior and on the interaction of the environment. The cognitive theory on the other hand focuses on cognitions and the role of the mind (unobservable behaviors) as determinants of feelings and behavior. Cognitive behavioral theory involves both cognitive and behavioral approach to treatment. Ledley, Marx and Heimberg, (2005), opined that it would be overly simplistic to think that cognitive techniques only target cognitions and behavioral techniques target only behaviors. Change in one of these systems undoubtedly results in change in the other systems.

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