Work

The impact of model statements on verbal differences between truth and lies when using a comparable truthful baseline

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Purpose Baselining is a deception detection technique that compares a statement of interest to a baseline. This study focused on verbal baselining: it examined differences in detailedness between the baseline and the statement of interest as a cue to deception. Method Across two experiments, participants watched two crime videos and provided two statements: one truthful baseline and one statement of interest, which was either truthful or deceptive depending on the condition. To manipulate expectations for detail, half of the participants were shown a model statement (i.e., an example of a richly detailed statement) before giving their responses. Results In Experiment 1 (using written statements), both the model statement and the baseline independently improved truth/lie discrimination. In Experiment 2 (using spoken statements), however, these effects were not replicated. Importantly, combining a model statement with baselining did not further improve truth/lie discrimination in either experiment. Conclusion These findings underscore the complexity of verbal lie detection and highlight the need to better understand when and how baselining techniques are most effective.

Source: Legal and Criminological Psychology

DOI: 10.1111/lcrp.70009

Authors: Glynis Bogaard, Nick J. Broers, Ewout H. Meijer

Institution: Maastricht University

Language: English

Topic: Deception detection and forensic psychology

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,700

Funder: Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek