Adaptive lie detection and perceived prevalence of false reports in evaluation of sexual offence allegations

Abstract

Research suggests that perceptions of the prevalence of truth and lies are important in informing evaluations of the honesty of others and, relatedly, the accuracy of the statements made by others. This research investigates these perceptions of prevalence and their influence specifically in the context of sexual offence reports. Results provide insight into perceptions of the prevalence of true and false statements in this context, and the influence of these perceptions on legal decision-making. Importantly, results support predictions informed by the Adaptive Lie Detector Framework and Fuzzy-Trace Theory by showing that providing evidence-based information on prevalence changes evaluations of witness testimony, but that this change is influenced by the framing of information provided as well as precise information itself. These findings provide new insight into how juries function as lie detectors, and into why juries may convict relatively few defendants in cases primarily reliant on defendant and complainant testimony.