Behind the Curtain FBI CIA Secrets
Dr. William Horton, Psy.D.
Let me take you behind the curtain for a moment…
Most people think influence is something you do with words.
But the truth is…
Influence is something happening before the words even start.
Years ago, as a NLP/Hypnosis based psychologist, I started noticing something that changed everything:
Two people could hear the exact same sentence…
And one person relaxes…
The other resists…
One person opens up…
The other shuts down.
And I realized…
We’re not talking to people’s logic.
We’re talking to their nervous system.
Then I began studying the same behavioral science used in high-stakes environments…
The kind of psychological profiling and communication strategy used in FBI interrogation rooms…which I have attended
Crisis negotiation…
And intelligence-level influence work.
And what I discovered was simple:
Most people are walking around completely unaware of what drives them…
In NLP we use VAK and Submodalities but that’s first level an X ray and it changed psychology
NOW
Lets add an MRI Level insight!
So my work became about one thing:
Teaching everyday people the psychological skills that professionals use:
- How to read behavior fast
- How to spot deception
- How to influence ethically
- And how to rewire your own subconscious patterns for success
Because once you see the operating system…
You can’t unsee it.
NLP is the user manual for the subconscious mind.
Because people don’t change through information…
They change through identity.
Through internal dialogue.
Through emotional memory.
NLP gives you the tools to rewire the deeper programs:
Fear.
Confidence.
Addiction loops.
Self-sabotage.
That’s where transformation happens.
Most people think conversations are about information…
They’re not.
Conversations are about identity needs.
And the person who can spot the need…
Can lead the interaction.
Now add a deep dive
That’s FBI-level social intelligence.
Let me give you the real shortcut to profiling people…
Forget labels.
Forget personality tests.
Forget “introvert/extrovert.”
Here’s the truth:
People are driven by emotional needs.
And in conversation, you’re not talking to logic…
You’re talking to what someone needs to feel right now.
I call these the Six Social Drivers:
- Significance
- Approval
- Acceptance
- Intelligence
- Pity
- Power/Strength
And once you can spot which one is running…
You can read people instantly.
✅ 1. SIGNIFICANCE (Importance)
This person’s need is:
“I must matter.”
They want to feel special, impactful, unforgettable.
Fun Example:
You meet them and within 2 minutes they say:
- “Most people don’t understand this like I do…”
- “Let me tell you something no one else knows…”
- “I’ve got a big project coming…”
They’re not lying…
They’re broadcasting:
“Please don’t overlook me.”
How to connect:
“You clearly bring something valuable — tell me more.”
✅ 2. APPROVAL (Validation)
Approval people need:
“Am I doing okay?”
They want reassurance.
Fun Example:
They send texts like:
- “Sorry if that was weird…”
- “Do you think that made sense?”
- “I hope you’re not upset…”
They don’t want conflict.
They want emotional green lights.
How to connect:
“You’re good. I get you.”
Instant rapport.
✅ 3. ACCEPTANCE (Belonging)
Acceptance is deeper than approval.
Approval is: “Do you like me?”
Acceptance is:
“Do I belong here?”
Fun Example:
At a networking event they hover…
They laugh a little too hard…
They watch the group before stepping in.
Their nervous system is asking:
“Is there room for me?”
How to connect:
“Come with us — you’re one of us.”
That’s powerful.
✅ 4. INTELLIGENCE (Competence Identity)
This person needs:
“Do not see me as foolish.”
Their identity is built on being smart, sharp, capable.
Fun Example:
They can’t just say:
“Yeah.”
They say:
“Well, technically speaking…”
Or:
“The neuroscience actually shows…”
Or the classic:
“It depends on how you define that.”
They’re protecting intelligence like armor.
How to connect:
“You think deeply — what’s your take?”
Boom. Wall drops.
✅ 5. PITY (Sympathy Leverage)
This is the sneaky one.
Pity people need:
“Rescue me… or excuse me.”
Sometimes it’s real pain.
Sometimes it becomes a strategy.
Fun Example:
Every story ends with:
- “And of course, that happened to me…”
- “Nobody understands what I deal with…”
- “I’ve just had it harder than most…”
The payoff is emotional attention.
How to connect (carefully):
“I hear you — and I also know you’re stronger than that story.”
✅ 6. POWER Strength (Control & Dominance)
Power-driven people need:
“I will not be weak.”
They want control of the room.
Fun Example:
They interrupt.
They correct.
They challenge.
They “One UP”
They ask questions like cross-examinations:
“So what are your credentials?”
That’s not curiosity…
That’s dominance.
How to connect:
Give them a frame:
“I respect strength — let’s talk directly.”
🔥 NOW… THE DECEPTION LAYER
“How These Needs Change When Someone Is Lying”
Here’s the FBI/CIA-level secret:
When people lie, they don’t just hide facts…
They protect identity needs under stress.
Lying is emotional.
And stress amplifies the need.
So watch what spikes.
🎭 SIGNIFICANCE LIARS (Image Protectors)
They lie to stay important.
Example:
They exaggerate:
“I basically ran the whole project…”
Truth: they attended two meetings.
They’re protecting importance.
🎭 APPROVAL LIARS (People Pleasers)
They lie to avoid disappointment.
Example:
“Yeah absolutely, I finished it…”
They didn’t.
They just can’t tolerate disapproval.
🎭 ACCEPTANCE LIARS (Belonging Seekers)
They lie to stay in the group.
Example:
“Oh yeah, I love that band too!”
They’ve never heard the band.
They’re not lying for gain…
They’re lying for belonging.
🎭 INTELLIGENCE LIARS (Semantic Smoke Bomb)
This is a big one.
They lie by hiding behind complexity.
Example:
“Well, the situation is multifactorial…”
Translation:
“I don’t want to admit I messed up.”
They don’t want exposure…
They want to appear smart while escaping truth.
🎭 PITY LIARS (Victim Strategy)
They lie to gain sympathy or avoid responsibility.
Example:
“I would have done it, but everything has been so hard…”
It becomes an emotional shield:
“Don’t hold me accountable — feel sorry for me.”
🎭 POWER LIARS (Control Under Threat)
Power people lie when cornered, or shown up..
And they don’t lie softly…
They attack.
Example:
“Why are you even asking me that?”
That’s not an answer.
That’s a control move.
🔥 THE STREET-SMART FBI SUMMARY
Truth is simple.
Lies are managed.
And the way someone manages…
Reveals what they need.
Significance protects image.
Approval protects harmony.
Acceptance protects belonging.
Intelligence protects competence.
Pity protects excuse.
Power protects dominance.
That’s profiling.
That’s deception detection.
That’s real human intelligence.
Most people think conversations are about words…
They’re not.
They’re about needs.
And the person who can spot the need…
Controls the interaction.
Because behind every lie…
Behind every manipulation…
Behind every emotional reaction…
Is a nervous system saying:
“Help me feel important… liked… accepted… smart… safe… or in control.”
Once you see that…
You’ll never see people the same way again.
