A Comparison of Deception Behavior in Dyad and Triadic Group Decision Making in Synchronous Computer-Mediated Communication

Abstract

Deception can be detrimental to individual and organizational decision making. Existing research on behavioral cues to deception has focused mainly on monologue and dyadic interaction. No studies have empirically examined the impact of group size on behavioral cues to deception. This study is the first attempt to investigate whether deceivers behave differently in dyads and triadic groups in synchronous computer-mediated communication. The empirical results revealed that cues to deception were contingent on the group size. Compared with truth tellers, deceivers showed a lower level of pleasantness and language complexity only in dyads, whereas a higher level of cognitive complexity and initiation only in triadic groups. Although participation behavior was a significant cue in both groups, its levels of significance was higher in triadic groups than in dyads. This study raises a broad yet critical issue of group effect on deception behavior. It has significant implications for deception detection in computer-mediated communication.