Judgments of deceptive communications: A multidimensional analysis

Abstract

Four dimensions underlying individuals’ perceptions of various types of lies were identified through multidimensional scaling: (1) intentions of liar (benign vs. malign), (2) purposes of lie (instrumental vs. protective), (3) responsibility of liar for lie (freely done vs. constrained by situation), and (4) consequences of lie (severely negative vs. mild). Judgments of morality were most closely related to intentions and consequences, replicating results of past research that indicate that outcome quality plays a major role in determining moral judgments, but that intentionality also plays a role. © 1986, Psychonomic Society, Inc.. All rights reserved.