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Assessing the truth effect's reliability and test-retest stability
Frank Calio1, Lena Nadarevic2, Jochen Musch1
1University of Düsseldorf, Germany.
Consciousness and Cognition
|August 28, 2025
Summary
Repeating statements increases perceived validity, known as the truth effect. However, this study found the truth effect lacks test-retest stability, questioning its reliability for individual difference research.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Individual Differences Research
Background:
- The truth effect describes how statement repetition enhances perceived validity.
- Research on individual differences in the truth effect and its correlates is limited and inconsistent.
- Reliable measurement of the truth effect at the individual level is crucial for identifying stable correlates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the split-half reliability and test-retest stability of the truth effect.
- To assess the reliability of established measures for the truth effect in individual differences research.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments were conducted to measure the truth effect.
- Experiment 1 utilized the between-items criterion.
- Experiment 2 employed the within-items criterion.
Main Results:
- The truth effect demonstrated very low test-retest stability in both experiments.
- The low stability is likely attributable to insufficient reliability of the measures used.
- Established indices and standard measures may not be suitable for personality and individual difference research.
Conclusions:
- Current measures of the truth effect exhibit low test-retest stability.
- This instability raises concerns about using these measures to study stable individual differences.
- Further research is needed to develop reliable methods for assessing the truth effect in individual differences research.
Keywords:
Illusory truthIndividual differencesSplit-half reliabilityTest–retest stabilityTruth effectValidity ratingMore Related Videos
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