What does incongruence in behavior typically indicate?

Incongruence in behavior typically suggests that an individual's verbal and non-verbal cues do not align, which is often indicative of deception. When someone is being untruthful, their facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice may not match the content of what they are saying. For example, a person might claim to feel remorse or sadness while simultaneously exhibiting relaxed body language or a lack of appropriate emotional expression. This disconnect can signal that the individual is attempting to mislead others, as their outward demeanor contradicts the narrative they are trying to present.

While other factors such as distraction or being relaxed and cooperative can influence a person's behavior, these do not inherently involve the same level of misalignment that is characteristic of deceptive behavior. Additionally, someone who is truthful usually presents consistent verbal and non-verbal communication, making the recognition of incongruence a crucial aspect of detecting deceit.