Abstract
SummaryThe present research examined lie detection abilities of a rarely investigated group, namely offenders. Results of the studies conducted thus far indicated a better performance of offenders compared to non‐offenders when discriminating between true and false messages. With two new studies, we aimed at replicating offenders' superior abilities in the context of deception detection. Results of Study 1 (N = 76 males), in contrast, revealed that offenders were significantly worse at accurately classifying true and false messages compared to non‐offenders (students). Results of Study 2 (N = 175 males) revealed that offenders' discrimination performance was not significantly different compared to non‐offenders (clinic staff). An internal meta‐analysis yielded no significant difference between offenders and non‐offenders, questioning the generalizability of previous findings.
Highlights
Lies and deception affect many areas of life, and the ability to accurately detect lies is important in many areas of society (Ekman, 1992)
Results of the studies conducted far indicated a better performance of offenders compared to non-offenders when discriminating between true and false messages
We aimed at replicating offenders' superior abilities in the context of deception detection
Summary
Lies and deception affect many areas of life, and the ability to accurately detect lies is important in many areas of society (Ekman, 1992). To accurately differentiate lies from true statements proves difficult (Hartwig & Bond, 2014). Few empirical studies have directly addressed this topic, perhaps because data from offenders are difficult to obtain. Results of these past studies suggest that offenders possess better lie detection skills than non-offenders (e.g., Hartwig, Granhag, Strömwall, & Andersson, 2004). Given that discriminating between lies and truths is a difficult task, it is important to obtain more evidence on the idea that accurate detection is less difficult for offenders compared to non-offenders
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