Digital Deception

Assignment 7: Deception Detection

The most common thought about deception detection is that it is more difficult in CMC because of the lack of non-verbal cues. This tends to be true, but in addition to this thought, there are also some other factors that play a major role when it comes to deception detection in online spaces. These factors are the arousing suspicion in receivers using CMC, the motivation of the deceiver, and the verbal cues used by the deceiver.

Arousing suspicion in receivers using CMC will improve deception detection accuracy. According to George et al, previous research has shown that truth bias can be an obstacle to accurately detecting deception, but it can be reduced by artificially arousing suspicion in receivers, specifically warnings from a third party source. There were statistically significant differences for warnings, with warned receivers being more accurate at deception detection than receivers who were not warned.

Research has demonstrated that overall, highly motivated deceivers will be detected more accurately than deceivers who have little (or no) motivation to act deceptively. This is also referred to as the motivational impairment effect. DePaulo and Morris (2004) conducted a review that revealed that is was typically easier to identify a number of non-verbal differences in highly motivated deceivers (when compared to their less motivated counterparts. There is also another theory that discusses motivation in relation to deception detection. The Interpersonal Deception Theory (IDT) says that moderate levels of motivation may facilitate verbal and nonverbal aspects of deception. According to Burgoon et al, when deceivers are motivated to lie during interactive communication, they may be more likely to self-monitor and engage in strategic behaviors to convince their partner that they are being truthful, which should enhance their credibility. Both of these theories involving motivation are slightly different, but the one thing they have in common is that they both assume that increased motivation should improve verbal performance during deception.

Verbal cues also play a major role in deception detection in an online space. According to Hancock et al, verbal cues such as an increase in negative statements and linguistic constructions that distance the liar from their presentations are usually a sign that deception is taking place. These can also be referred to as high-level or cognitive clues. Negative statements used by the deceiver over an online space were more often detected as deceptive than a positive statement. The linguistic constructions such as active and passive voice are used to distance the deceiver from the deceivee, in order to make the deceiver feel potentially less guilty.

Overall, there are a few different factors besides the lack of non-verbal cues that can be used in deception detection in an online space. Arousing suspicion, the motivation of the deceiver, and the verbal cues used by the deceiver can all be used in order to detect deception in CMC.

posted by Nicole @ 10:13 PM