Abstract
In this study we examined the relationship that propensity for cheating, as well as several other personality traits, have with deception detection ability. Participants were first administered a behavioral measure of their tendency to cheat on a short mathematics exam, as well as a measure of anger toward hypothetical cheaters. Second, participants viewed a series of video clips of NSU students making truthful and deceptive statements; participants attempted to discriminate between truthful and deceptive statements, and also rated the personality traits of the NSU students. Third, participants attempted to discriminate between truthful and deceptive statements in 8 media clips of people who were either innocent or guilty of a serious crime. Finally, participants completed a battery of personality measures, including measures of social anxiety, narcissism, victim justice sensitivity, Machiavellianism, and the Big Five traits (openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism). Contrary to popular belief, participants were unable to detect deception of people who were guilty of committing serious crimes. In addition, participants who were more easily angered by cheaters were more neurotic, as well as more likely to see all communications as truthful. Conscientious people were also more likely to see communications as truthful. The role of personality traits in detecting and punishing deceptive behavior is discussed.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Weylin Sternglanz
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-8-2016 1:00 PM
End Date
4-8-2016 5:30 PM
The Role of Cheating Behavior and Personality Traits in Deception Detection Ability
Alvin Sherman Library
In this study we examined the relationship that propensity for cheating, as well as several other personality traits, have with deception detection ability. Participants were first administered a behavioral measure of their tendency to cheat on a short mathematics exam, as well as a measure of anger toward hypothetical cheaters. Second, participants viewed a series of video clips of NSU students making truthful and deceptive statements; participants attempted to discriminate between truthful and deceptive statements, and also rated the personality traits of the NSU students. Third, participants attempted to discriminate between truthful and deceptive statements in 8 media clips of people who were either innocent or guilty of a serious crime. Finally, participants completed a battery of personality measures, including measures of social anxiety, narcissism, victim justice sensitivity, Machiavellianism, and the Big Five traits (openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism). Contrary to popular belief, participants were unable to detect deception of people who were guilty of committing serious crimes. In addition, participants who were more easily angered by cheaters were more neurotic, as well as more likely to see all communications as truthful. Conscientious people were also more likely to see communications as truthful. The role of personality traits in detecting and punishing deceptive behavior is discussed.
