Abstract

Does the truth interfere with our ability to respond deceptively? We consider this question by examining the effects of task set (i.e. selecting truthful or untruthful responses), both by comparing two presentations of the same task, and through transfer to a different task. All participants carried out the task under instructions to respond correctly, and also to respond incorrectly (Experiment 1), or instructions to respond truthfully and also to respond deceptively (Experiment 2); order of instructions was counterbalanced. In Experiment 2, after completing the main task, participants also performed a Stroop task. The findings suggested that deceptive responses took longer overall, regardless of order of instructions. Moreover, experience of responding deceptively versus truthfully led to faster responding on a subsequent Stroop test. Whilst there may well be processes unique to deceptive responding, the evidence suggests that overcoming interference is a process shared by deceptive as well as non-deceptive tasks.