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Regression toward the mean or heuristic processing in detecting deception? Reply to Elaad (2010)
Jaume Masip1, Eugenio Garrido, Carmen Herrero
1Department of Social Psychology and Anthropology, Facultad de Psicología, University of Salamanca, Avda. de la Merced, 109-131, 37005 Salamanca, Spain. jmasip@usal.es
Psychological Reports
|December 2, 2010
Summary
Observers making truth-lie judgments showed a decline over time. This study refutes the regression toward the mean explanation, supporting the original findings on information processing modes.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Studies show a decline in truth judgments over time.
- Masip et al. (2009) attributed this to information processing modes.
- Elaad (2010) proposed regression toward the mean as an alternative explanation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To challenge the regression toward the mean explanation for the decline in truth judgments.
- To re-evaluate the findings of Masip et al. (2009).
- To support the information processing mode explanation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of observer truth-lie judgments on videotaped statements.
- Statistical re-analysis of Masip et al.'s (2009) data, adjusting for regression toward the mean.
- Examination of judgment declines across multiple conditions.
Main Results:
- Regression toward the mean was deemed unlikely due to the study's methodology.
- The decline in truth judgments persisted across various conditions, ruling out random fluctuations.
- Re-analysis results confirmed the original findings of Masip et al. (2009).
Conclusions:
- The decline in truth judgments over time is not due to regression toward the mean.
- The findings support the information processing mode explanation for judgment changes.
- The original study's conclusions regarding truth-lie judgments remain valid.
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