Interpersonal Deception Theory

Assumptions of IDT

Whereas many theories about deception focus on what an individual experiences or expresses, IDT as a communication theory emphasizes what happens between people rather than within people. Among the central communication-relevant assumptions of IDT are that communication is an interdependent activity and that both sender and receiver are active parties to the construction of deceptive interchanges. Interdependence implies that receivers influence sender cognitions and behavior, and vice versa, making deceptive signals not just the product of what the sender is experiencing but also how an interlocutor's communication affects the sender. Receivers also are not passive recipients of whatever signals are expressed by senders but instead play an active role, such that their emotions, cognitions, and communication warrant as much attention as those of senders. Receiver suspicion is an important factor when analyzing deceptive exchanges.

Another assumption is that, like other forms of communication, deception and its detection are goal-driven and often strategic (deliberate); deceivers and receivers act to accomplish such goals as protecting self, fostering a favorable image, preserving the interpersonal relationship, creating a comfortable interaction, or achieving instrumental aims. Deceiver and receiver's verbal and nonverbal communication reflect strategies and tactics to achieve those ends, even though like other intentional but routinized communicative acts, they may be “run off” without much conscious awareness.

Telling ingratiating white lies is an example of deceit that is produced easily and satisfies multiple communication goals, from preserving the relationship and saving another's face to promoting liking. Receivers may similarly enact covert and nonobvious strategies to ascertain a sender's truthfulness so as to minimize sullying the relationship with evident suspicion, or they may do the opposite, “ambushing” a sender with direct accusations to catch the person off guard and expose the truth. IDT assumes that many communication strategies and tactics are overlearned and performed relatively effortlessly. Deceit as a special case of interpersonal communication should therefore exhibit strategic activity.

...