Deception detection in online and offline communication: The effect of trust levels and perspective taking in real time communication

Abstract

Humans have been found to detect lies only at the rate of chance (Ott, Choi, Cardie & Hancock, 2011; Talbot, 2012; Toma & Hancock, 2012). Where communication online can elicit higher rates of trust and sharing personal information (Jiang, Bazarova & Hancock, 2013), how does trust and personality traits like perspective taking effect deception detection online compared to face-to-face communication? This study measured participants in an online (N=40) and offline conditions who had to detect two lies out of five conversation topics while in conversation dyads with a confederate. Two two-way between groups ANOVAS found no significant difference in the effect of perspective taking and trust on accurate deception detection in online and offline participants. Discussion points include the truth bias, online disinhibition and further investigations in law enforcement.