a PFC-impaired person is a more trustworthy one. We’ve discussed how depressing PFC function makes it harder for a person to lie. Perhaps surprisingly, it has the opposite effect on lie detection.35 It’s actually more difficult for us to accurately evaluate the truthfulness of a statement when we are focused exclusively on doing so. We do a better job detecting lies when we are distracted by other stimuli—for instance, trying to get the bartender’s attention or savoring an appetizer—and then asked later if the person we were speaking with was being honest. Our unconscious selves are better lie
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