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The Art (And Science) of Lie Detection
The Art (And Science) of Lie Detection
The Art (And Science) of Lie Detection
Todays Agenda
What is a lie? Why do people lie? When are they easy or hard to catch?
What Is a Lie?
According to the American Heritage Dictionary, a lie is: 1. A false statement deliberately presented as being true; a falsehood.
Types of Lies
Protective lies: Telling children that the stork brought them because you dont think theyre old enough to talk about sex, or reassuring your relative that he/she is not really terminally ill White lies: Lies that do no harm, and may do good, such as complimenting your hostess meal even if you didnt enjoy it much (social tact) Lying by omission: Failing to reveal ones belief in order to deceive. Bluffing: Usually considered more of a tactic than a lie, as it occurs in the well-understood context of a game.
Lying is a misuse of the human faculty of speech. Lying undermines trust, which is essential to the community. Lying undermines others; Lying makes a decision for the other person, rather than letting him/her decide based on facts.
Others defend lying, such as telling a Nazi soldier that one has no Jewish children in the house.
Why Do We Lie?
We are not alone. Deception is common in the animal kingdom. All animals (including us) deceive others to obtain benefits or avoid costs.
Lying in Animals
Koko, the female gorilla who uses American Sign Language, signed cat did it, when confronted with a sink she had damaged during a tantrum. It is not clear whether or not Koko was making a joke or lying. Wolves often bluff during ritual fighting that maintains the hierarchy within the pack.
Catching a Liar
Liars will look different ONLY when the following two conditions are fully met: 1. The person is deliberately and knowingly telling a lie. 2. The person thinks lying is wrong.
Reconstructive Memory
When we retrieve information from memory to use it, the data are at risk for change. The person retrieving changed, inaccurate information will believe that he/she is telling the truth. Elizabeth Loftus and Eyewitness Testimony
Loftus (1975) N=150 Video of an automobile accident IV How fast was the white sports car going when it passed the barn while traveling along the country road? How fast was the white sports car going while traveling along the country road? DV measured one week later Did you see a barn?
Loftus Results
Brain activity during the processing of real memories and imagined events is identical. fMRI requires cooperation (no moving) Cannot detect lies by omission CAN detect if a person is thinking about a place versus a face CAN detect extra brain activity required by lying
Lying
Truth