The Effect of Suspicion on Deception Detection Accuracy: Optimal Level or Opposing Effects?

Abstract

The current paper reexamines how suspicion affects deception detection accuracy. McCornack and Levine's (1990) nonlinear “optimal level” hypothesis is contrasted with an “opposing effects” hypothesis. Three different levels of suspicion were experimentally induced and participants (N = 91) made veracity judgments of videotaped interviews involving denials of cheating. The results were more consistent with the opposing effects hypotheses than the optimal level hypotheses.

Keywords:

• Deception Detection
• Lying
• Suspicion

Acknowledgments

This research was conducted with the support of the National Science Foundation (SBE0725685).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rachel K. Kim

Rachel K. Kim was in the Department of Communication at Michigan State University at the time of this article's composition; Rachel K. Kim is now in the private sector in Honolulu, HI.

Timothy R. Levine

Timothy R. Levine is a Professor of Communication at Michigan State University