Psychopathy and deception detection using indirect measures

Authors: Klaver, Jessica R.1; Lee, Zina1; Spidel, Alicia2; Hart, Stephen D.1

Source: Legal and Criminological Psychology, Volume 14, Number 1, February 2009 , pp. 171-182(12)

Publisher: British Psychological Society

Key:
Free Content - Free Content
New Content - New Content
Subscribed Content - Subscribed Content
Free Trial Content - Free Trial Content

Abstract:

Purpose

The goal of the current study was to examine psychopathy and indirect measures of deception detection.

Methods

Undergraduate students (N=444) viewed video clips of adult male offenders telling true and false stories about crimes. For each story, participants rated indirect measures of deception (thinking hard, nervousness, emotional arousal, and attempting to control behaviour) and credibility. Participants also chose the story they believed to be true and rated the confidence in their decision. Offenders were rated on the psychopathy checklist - revised.

Results

Consistent with past research, deception detection accuracy was at chance level and unrelated to confidence. Ratings on indirect measures by undergraduates did not distinguish true and false statements in offenders. Psychopathic offenders were less successful at deception than non-psychopathic offenders. Psychopathic traits were associated with lower perceived credibility during deception and ratings of thinking harder while lying.

Conclusions

The results suggest that indirect measures of deception detection may be less useful in offender samples. Further, the findings are consistent with the general inability of psychopathic offenders to demonstrate superior deception skills in empirical studies. Indirect measures of deception uniquely related to psychopathic traits offer new insight into the relationship between psychopathy and deception.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1348/135532508X289964

Affiliations: 1: Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada 2: Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

The full text electronic article is available for purchase. You will be able to download the full text electronic article after payment.

$24.40 plus tax      Refund Policy

 

OR

Back to top

Key:
Free Content - Free Content
New Content - New Content
Subscribed Content - Subscribed Content
Free Trial Content - Free Trial Content
Share this item with others: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
Page Help Click here for Page Help
Shopping cart
Tools
Sign in






Need to register?
Sign up here
Text size: A | A | A | A