WHO CAN CATCH A LIAR?’, Ekman and O’Sullivan, 1991.

WHO CAN CATCH A LIAR?’, Ekman and O’Sullivan, 1991.

What is the definition of lying or indeed deception? Well deception

can be defined in many ways, but it was termed by Vrij (Vrij, 2000,

p.6) as a successful or unsuccessful deliberate attempt, without

forewarning, to create in another a belief, which the communicator

considers to be untrue.

Telling lies is a daily life event, which varies in quite complex ways

depending on the situation the person is in and the person being lied

to. People lie for all kinds of reasons. However half the lies are

either self–orientated, and are therefore intended to make the liar

appear better or to gain personal advantage (DePaulo et al., 1996).

Self– orientated lies consist of people lying in order to avoid

punishment, to make a positive impression on others or to protect

themselves. Some lies are other–orientated, to make another person

feel better or for another’s benefit.

How can you tell if someone is lying to you? People generally believe

that nonverbal cues to deception exist and they know what these cues

are; but how accurate are people at detecting lies?

In laboratory studies concerning detection of deception, observers are

given videotaped or audiotaped statements of various people who are

either lying or telling the truth. After each statement the

participant is asked to judge whether the statement are true or false.

In most studies reported, people have not been very good at judging

when people are lying. Average accuracy in detecting deceit has rarely

been above 60% with 50% being chance and most people have performed

below 50%.

Studies revealed that in three separate experiments conducted by Kraut

and Poe (1980) DePaulo and Pfeifer (1986) and Ko...

... middle of paper ...

...ussed in the appropriate section of the study, therefore this

could be an area that could be further explored in the future.

On the whole in conclusion, the study has established the extent to

which people are able to detect lies by observing physiological

responses. Mistakes in lie detection are inevitable, but perhaps with

the correct training, experience and motivation we may become

specialists in detecting lies. But is this possible?.

In my opinion in both theoretical and practical terms; this is a sound

work on a vital subject. Although room for further research is needed.

REFERENCES

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Aldert Vrij, (2002) ‘Telling and Detecting Lies’ chapter 4, in Nicola

Brace and Helen Westcott (ed) ‘Applying Psychology’ The Open

University

Journal article – Paul Ekman and Maureen O’Sullivan (1991) ‘Who Can

Catch A Liar’ Vol.46, no 9, pp.913-930