Police Lie Detection Accuracy: The Effect of Lie Scenario

摘要

Although most people are not better thanchance in detecting deception, some groups of policeprofessionals have demonstrated significant lie detectionaccuracy. One reason for this difference may be that thetypes of lies police are asked to judge in scientific exper-iments often do not represent the types of lies they see intheir profession. Across 23 studies, involving 31 differentpolice groups in eight countries, police officers tested withlie detection scenarios using high stakes lies (i.e., the liewas personally involving and/or resulted in substantialrewards or punishments for the liar) were significantlymore accurate than law enforcement officials tested withlow stakes lies. Face validity and construct validity ofvarious lie scenarios are differentiated.