In the context of evaluating deception, what are illustrators?

Illustrators are specific types of nonverbal communication that accompany verbal messages and serve to emphasize or clarify what is being spoken. They are typically hand motions or gestures that visually represent, enhance, or reinforce the meaning of the words being communicated. For example, when someone talks about a large object and simultaneously uses their hands to demonstrate the size, they are using illustrators to provide a clearer image of their message.

This understanding helps in evaluating deception because the presence or absence of illustrators can indicate the authenticity of the verbal message. When someone is being honest, they are more likely to use such gestures to support their statements, while a lack of illustrators in a deceptive context might indicate discomfort or an attempt to distance themselves from the truth. Recognizing these nonverbal cues can be crucial in detecting deception during interviews or interrogations.