Question 1

Frank's grandfather loved to fish. Every time he came back from the lake, he described catching and releasing a bigger and bigger fish. We can infer from this story that Frank's grandfather likely engaged in

Accepted Answer

A)   commission.
B)   equivocation.
C)   falsification.
D)   exaggeration. D

Question 2

Research shows that men are more likely than women to lie about which characteristic in an online dating ad?

Accepted Answer

A)   physical attractiveness
B)   education level
C)   age
D)   ethnicity B

Question 3

Is it easier to detect deception from friends or strangers? Make an argument for each possible outcome and then describe what research has found.

Accepted Answer

It is difficult to definitively say whether it is easier to detect deception from friends or strangers, as there are arguments for both outcomes.

On one hand, some may argue that it is easier to detect deception from friends because we are more familiar with their behavior and can pick up on subtle changes in their demeanor or speech patterns. We may also have a better understanding of their typical behavior and be able to notice when they are acting out of character.

On the other hand, some may argue that it is easier to detect deception from strangers because we may be more objective in our observations and less likely to be influenced by our preconceived notions or biases about the person. Strangers may also be more likely to exhibit obvious signs of deception, such as nervousness or inconsistency in their story.

Research on this topic has found mixed results. Some studies have shown that people are better at detecting deception from friends, as they are more attuned to their behavior and can pick up on subtle cues. Other studies have found that people are better at detecting deception from strangers, as they are more objective in their observations.

Overall, the ability to detect deception may depend on the individual and their level of familiarity with the person in question. It is important to consider both the strengths and limitations of detecting deception from friends and strangers in order to make accurate judgments.

Question 4

Vocal characteristics are usually poor indicators of deception.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

How have researchers typically studied deceptive behaviors in cross-cultural environments?

Accepted Answer

A)   They focus their research on the speaker's vocal cues.
B)   They focus their research on the speaker's truthfulness quotient.
C)   They focus their research on the speaker's nonverbal cues.
D)   They focus their research on the speaker's eye movement, specifically.

Question 6

Our truth bias is usually stronger for friends than for strangers.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

Explain the difference between interactive and non-interactive contexts. Indicate which one advantages deceivers when they are lying to strangers, and explain why.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain the difference between interactive and non-interactive...

Question 8

Many forms of politeness and discretion involve being deceptive.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Which of the following forms of deception is an act of dissimulation?

Accepted Answer

A)   exaggeration
B)   falsification
C)   sarcasm
D)   equivocation

Question 10

When his girlfriend asks if he really loves her, Ramon gives her a vague, ambiguous response. Which form of deception is he attempting?

Accepted Answer

A)   fibbing
B)   equivocation
C)   exaggeration
D)   falsification

Question 11

Explain the motivation impairment effect. Provide a detailed example of motivation impairment.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain the motivation impairment effect. Provide a...

Question 12

How do the principles of interpersonal deception theory factor into the process of deception?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How do the principles of interpersonal deception...

Question 13

One lesson that research has taught us is that many of the average person's beliefs about deception are wrong (e.g., lack of eye contact is a good clue to deception, most people are good at spotting deception, it is harder to lie to a suspicious person than an unsuspicious one). Offer reasoned speculation as to why people's beliefs about interpersonal deception are, on average, so inaccurate. Consider the potential roles played by emotion, religion, the media, and the mind or psyche.

Accepted Answer

The answer of One lesson that research has taught us...

Question 14

When lying to a stranger, one will usually be more successful doing so in a face-to-face conversation than in an email message.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

When Tonya's boss asked her what time their meeting with the new client was, she replied that it was that afternoon at 3:30. She was so certain of the time that she did not bother to check her calendar first. When Tonya and her boss arrived at the client's office, the client was very upset because she had been waiting for 30 minutes for their 3:00 meeting. Tonya then checked her calendar, and sure enough, the meeting had been scheduled for 3:00. Which of the following is true of this scenario?

Accepted Answer

A)   Tonya lied to her boss in order to avoid potential harm.
B)   Tonya did not lie to her boss because she didn't mean for her boss to believe her.
C)   Tonya lied to her boss because she failed to check facts before making a statement.
D)   Tonya did not lie to her boss because she believed her statement was true.

Question 16

In her diary study, communication scientist Sandra Metts found that almost half of people's deception attempts involved which form of deception?

Accepted Answer

A)   falsification
B)   hyperbole
C)   omission
D)   exaggeration

Question 17

Deceiving others online is a fairly common practice, especially when it comes to online dating services. Given what you've learned in this chapter and examples from the popular media, discuss some of the dangers inherent in online communication. Next, consider this question: can people ever know for sure that someone is being honest with them online? How can we detect deception in cyberspace?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Deceiving others online is a fairly common...

Question 18

Which of the following statements could be an example of the Othello error?

Accepted Answer

A)   A listener is so suspicious that he or she doubts someone else's truthful statement.
B)   People tend to look for deception in bad news more than in good news.
C)   People tend to look for deception in good news more than in bad news.
D)   A listener is so trusting of another that he or she does not evaluate the truthfulness of the person's statements.

Question 19

Explain the difference between omission and equivocation, and give concrete examples of each.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain the difference between omission and equivocation,...

Question 20

What is meant by the phrase "deception can serve as a social lubricant"?

Accepted Answer

A)   People commonly engage in deception to get what they want from other people.
B)   People commonly engage in deception to avoid hurting others' feelings.
C)   People commonly engage in deception in order to impress others.
D)   People commonly engage in deception in order to increase their number of friends.

Exam 12: Deceptive Communication

Frank's grandfather loved to fish. Every time he came back from the lake, he described catching and releasing a bigger and bigger fish. We can infer from this story that Frank's grandfather likely engaged in

Research shows that men are more likely than women to lie about which characteristic in an online dating ad?

Is it easier to detect deception from friends or strangers? Make an argument for each possible outcome and then describe what research has found.

Vocal characteristics are usually poor indicators of deception.

How have researchers typically studied deceptive behaviors in cross-cultural environments?

Our truth bias is usually stronger for friends than for strangers.

Explain the difference between interactive and non-interactive contexts. Indicate which one advantages deceivers when they are lying to strangers, and explain why.

Many forms of politeness and discretion involve being deceptive.

Which of the following forms of deception is an act of dissimulation?

When his girlfriend asks if he really loves her, Ramon gives her a vague, ambiguous response. Which form of deception is he attempting?

Explain the motivation impairment effect. Provide a detailed example of motivation impairment.

How do the principles of interpersonal deception theory factor into the process of deception?

When lying to a stranger, one will usually be more successful doing so in a face-to-face conversation than in an email message.

In her diary study, communication scientist Sandra Metts found that almost half of people's deception attempts involved which form of deception?

Which of the following statements could be an example of the Othello error?

Explain the difference between omission and equivocation, and give concrete examples of each.

What is meant by the phrase "deception can serve as a social lubricant"?