Abstract
M.A. (Psychology)
A number of cognitive functions are critical in the process of deception and some theorists postulate that deception is more cognitively demanding than being truthful. Furthermore, it has been theorised that enhanced cognitive functioning allows for better deceptive abilities. However, the possibility of a cognitive basis for proneness to deception has not been thoroughly investigated. This study addressed this gap in the literature and investigated whether people’s cognitive abilities are related to a tendency toward deception. A comparative study was conducted between two groups, comprised of individuals who are highly deceptive and those who are not prone to deception. The Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding (BIDR) was completed by voluntary participants, who were comprised of Psychology students from the University of Johannesburg. Of these, 26 participants were selected for further testing by a third party (the supervisor) based on their scores. 14 of these were high scorers and 12 were low scorers. The following cognitive tests were administered to the selected participants: the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (RCFT), the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), Babcock Story Recall Test, Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT), Comprehension Test, Digit Span Test, Trail Making Test (TMT) and the Stroop Colour Word Test. The results of the cognitive tests of low deceivers and high deceivers were compared by applying the Mann-Whitney U Test, as well as the Chi-square and Fisher’s Exact Test, in order to establish whether there is any significant difference between their cognitive abilities. The findings showed no significant relationship between cognitive ability and propensity for deception, as only two of the test conditions revealed significant findings (whereby low deceivers performed significantly better). Thus, although cognitive functions are a critical component of deception, an individual’s cognitive abilities would appear to have no influence on their tendency to be deceptive. Based on previous research in the field, alternate explanations could be that cognitive functioning are more closely associated with aptitude at deception rather than proneness to deception. Likewise, proneness to deception may find its fundamental origins from personality traits more so than cognitive abilities.