A Pilot Study to Determine Gender Differences in the Detection of Deception: Accuracy, Cues, and Skepticism

Author

Randal B. Jarvis

Date of Award

2005

Degree Name

Criminal Justice

College

College of Liberal Arts

Type of Degree

M.S.

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

Margarette Phipps Brown

Second Advisor

Samuel L. Dameron

Third Advisor

Robert Grubb

Abstract

How accurately people use verbal and nonverbal cues to detect deception appears to be a function of a skeptical orientation toward the truthfulness of the subject. In previous studies, some differences in gender and the detection of deception are cited, but most studies are inconclusive about whether such differences exist. In the present study, university students are asked to judge brief interviews of suspects in a mock crime criminal investigation. Suspects are either "guilty" or "not guilty" in the mock crime scenario. "Guilty" suspects include two persons who are present at the time of the mock crime. A third person, the "not guilty" suspect, is not present during the mock crime. The subjects are asked to indicate whether they felt each suspect is truthful or deceptive in the suspect's responses to five questions. Subjects are asked to also indicate which, if any, of six nonverbal cues they use in making this decision. The findings of this study, as well as future implications for studies, are discussed.

Subject(s)

Deception.

Nonverbal communication.

Skepticism.

Recommended Citation

Jarvis, Randal B., "A Pilot Study to Determine Gender Differences in the Detection of Deception: Accuracy, Cues, and Skepticism" (2005). Theses, Dissertations and Capstones. 666.
https://mds.marshall.edu/etd/666