Merissa Ferrara

How people really detect lies

A primary focus of research in the area of deceptive communication has been on peoples ability to detect deception. The premise of the current paper is that participants in previous deception detection experiments may not have had access to the types of information people most often use to detect real-life lies. Further, deception detection experiments require that people make immediate judgements, although lie detection may occur over much longer spans of time. To test these speculations, respondents (N=202) were asked to recall an instance in which they had detected that another person had lied to them. They then answered open-ended questions concerning what the lie was about, who lied to them, and how they discovered the lie. The results suggest people most often rely on information from third parties and physical evidence when detecting lies, and that the detection of a lie is often a process that takes days, weeks, months, or longer. These findings challenge some commonly held assumptions about deception detection and have important implications for deception theory and research.

Can't Live With Them or Can't Live Without Them?: The Effects of Betrayal on Relational Outcomes in College Dating Relationships

Relational satisfaction and stability following discovered incidents of relational betrayal were investigated. Predictions from Social Exchange Theory, specifically Rusbults Investment Model, were tested along with the effects of communication strategies. Participants (N = 155) completed a questionnaire about a recalled betrayal. Inconsistent with the investment model, relational satisfaction was the best predictor of relational stability. Generally, the more committed and invested the offender, the more likely the reported use of communication repair strategies. The likelihood of apologies, accepting responsibility, and promising change also increased with the severity of the betrayal. Only promising change was related to post-betrayal relational satisfaction.

Group and individual accuracy in deception detection

Previous research examining the accuracy of deception detection judgments by individuals has concluded that the ability to detect deception is only slightly better than chance. Research has also found that individuals tend to be over‐confident, truth‐biased, and reliant on nonverbal behavior when making veracity judgments. This study (N = 129) tested if differences in deception detection accuracy, truth‐bias, judgmental confidences, and self‐reported cue reliance exist between individual judges and groups of individuals working in collaboration. No significant differences between groups and individuals emerged for accuracy, truth‐bias, or self‐reported cue reliance. Individuals within groups, however, were significantly more confident in their decisions than individuals working alone.

Integrating Pregnancy Ambivalence and Effectiveness in Contraceptive Choice

ABSTRACT Approximately 70% of pregnancies among young unmarried women living in the United States are unintended. Unintended pregnancy results in negative health and economic outcomes for infants, children, women, and families. Further research into the decision-making process of contraceptive selection is needed to meet young women’s contraceptive needs in the United States. Overall, 53 women ages 18–24 years completed in-depth qualitative interviews. Researchers used analytical techniques from grounded theory and HyperRESEARCH 3.5.2 qualitative data analysis software to identify emergent themes. Problematic integration theory provided a theoretical lens to identify young women’s probabilistic and evaluative orientations toward contraception. Researchers identified two profound values at stake to participants regarding their contraceptive decisions: avoiding pregnancy in the present, and protecting future fertility. Participants resisted long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) methods (e.g., the intrauterine device and the implant) due to concerns about safety and fears about infertility. Participants experienced ambivalence toward the idea of pregnancy, which complicated contraceptive decisions, especially regarding long-term methods. Uncertainty led participants to rationalize their use of less effective methods and reduced information seeking. Findings from this study offer practical suggestions for practitioners and health communication campaign planners. Contraceptive access campaigns should focus on the effectiveness, safety, and convenience of LARC methods. Messages should help young women make contraceptive choices that better fit their needs in order to reduce unintended pregnancy.

Narcissism and empathy as predictors of obsessive relational intrusion

The purpose of this study was to explore narcissism and empathy as possible factors that may predispose individuals to become obsessive relational intrusion (ORI) perpetrators. It was hypothesized that narcissism would be negatively related to empathy and empathy would, in turn, be negatively related to judgments of the acceptability of ORI behaviors. These predictions were tested with a questionnaire method (N = 177). Results indicate that narcissism is positively related to ORI acceptability, but empathy was not related to ORI acceptability in the current data. Implications for research in the areas of narcissism, empathy, and ORI are discussed.

Models of health: Exploring memorable messages received from parents about diet and exercise

Abstract As obesity is an increasingly vital health issue in the United States, this study aims to understand the memorable messages about diet and exercise received from parents throughout adolescence. Previous research suggests that parental messages continue to influence childrens beliefs, behaviors, and development long after they have left home. This study utilizes a qualitative research design to explore health-related memorable messages shared in 12 focus groups including 77 women ages 20–57. A myriad of memorable messages and modeled behaviors was reported representing three parenting styles: parental critic, parental professor, and parental protector. Results suggest that memorable messages are associated with parenting styles and family environment may influence message interpretation. Theoretical and practical implications for scholars and health educators are discussed along with directions for future research.

Trusting practitioners and trusting partners: a test to determine whether HIV prevention in Namibia is as easy as saying the ABCs

Abstract To reduce the 15% HIV prevalence rate in Namibia, public health officials have advised people to: (1) adopt the ABCs (Abstain, Be faithful, use a Condom); (2) use information-seeking strategies to determine their partners sexual history. Whether Namibians understand the ABC campaign or know how to determine a safe partner is largely unknown. To address this concern, data were collected from young adults (16–25 years, n = 400) via open- and closed-question formats. The main reason reported for not using a condom was ‘I trust my partner.’ The majority: (1) did not believe observational tactics were a good means to assess a safe partner; (2) believed they talked sufficiently with their partners about AIDS; (3) did not believe that partners were completely honest about their sexual history, although most (82%) wore condoms. The majority (51.8%) of participants did not understand the concepts of monogamy (51.8%) or ‘being faithful’ (68%). Assessment of the target populations understanding of public health terminology should precede implementation of HIV prevention programs using the ABCs.

It’s Your Place: Development and Evaluation of an Evidence-Based Bystander Intervention Campaign

ABSTRACT Preventing sexual assault on college campuses is a national priority. Bystander intervention offers a promising approach to change social norms and prevent sexual misconduct. This study presents the implementation and evaluation of a theory-based campaign to promote active bystander intervention. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) served as a conceptual framework throughout campaign development and evaluation. Formative research published elsewhere was used to develop campaign strategies, communication channels, and messages, including “It is your place to prevent sexual assault: You’re not ruining a good time.” The It’s Your Place multi-media campaign fosters a culture of bystander intervention through peer-to-peer facilitation and training, as well as traditional and new media platforms. A cross-sectional post-test only web-based survey was designed to evaluate the campaign and test the TPB’s ability to accurately predict intention to intervene. Survey data were collected from 1,505 currently enrolled students. The TPB model predicted intention to intervene. There was a significant effect of campaign exposure on attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral intention. This theory-based communication campaign offers implications for promoting active bystander intervention and reducing sexual assault.

Talk to take: Multivitamin usage in college-aged women

Abstract The goal of this investigation was to explore different communication methods used to reach and convince women to adopt an important daily health routine that is, for lack of a better word, boring. The results of this effort will be used to aid campaign efforts designed to increase multivitamin consumption in college-aged women, thereby aiming to reduce the number of birth defects in children born to this population. College-aged women (n = 92) reported preferring interpersonal communication channels over media when seeking information and being persuaded by messages regarding multivitamins. Multivitamin users were compared with non-users regarding sources of information and compliance strategies. Promise and positive altercasting were the preferred compliance-gaining strategies. Paper implications suggest campaigns should target mothers rather than spending resources to directly persuade their college-aged daughters.