Exploring the Effect of Verbal and Nonverbal Cues on Perceptions of Deception

Abstract

How impressions of credibility are formed in trial type settings is examined using 173 participants. It is hypothesized that the severity of the penalty faced by an accused individual will increase participant involvement with the accused's testimony. Involvement is predicted to interact with verbal and nonverbal cues associated with deception to influence jurors’ honesty judgments. Although penalty severity did not influence participant involvement, results indicate that involvement moderates the effect of verbal cues, but not nonverbal cues, on perceptions of deception.

Keywords:

• Deception
• Nonverbal Communication
• Verbal Communication
• Involvement

Notes

David Dryden Henningsen and Kathleen S. Valde are Assistant Professors in the Department of Communication where Elaine Davies is an Instructor. The authors would like to thank Mary Lynn Miller Henningsen, Michael G. Cruz, Brett Bowers, and Jennifer Good for their assistance in completing this manuscript. Correspondence should be addressed to David Dryden Henningsen at the Department of Communication, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL, 60115, USA (Tel: [phone]. Email: [email protected]).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elaine Davies

David Dryden Henningsen and Kathleen S. Valde are Assistant Professors in the Department of Communication where Elaine Davies is an Instructor. The authors would like to thank Mary Lynn Miller Henningsen, Michael G. Cruz, Brett Bowers, and Jennifer Good for their assistance in completing this manuscript. Correspondence should be addressed to David Dryden Henningsen at the Department of Communication, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL, 60115, USA (Tel: [phone]. Email: [email protected]).