Don’t believe everything you receive in an email or text message: A new study finds that communication using computers for instant messaging and e-mail increases lying compared to face-to-face conversations.

A study looked at 110 same-sex pairs of college students who engaged in 15 minute conversations either face-to-face, using e-mail, or using instant messaging. The results were then analyzed for inaccuracies. In addition to the distance one person is from the other, e-mail communication has the added component of being asynchronous, not as connected in real time as instant messaging or face-to-face conversation.

While there is some degree of deception present in all three forms of communication, it was increased in both instant messaging and e-mail, with e-mail messages the most likely to contain lies.

As people grow psychologically and physically further from the person they are in communication with, there is a higher likelihood of lying. Psychologist Robert S. Feldman says, "Ultimately, the findings show how easy it is to lie when online, and that we are more likely to be the recipient of deceptive statements in online communication than when interacting with others face-to-face. The (study) results indicate that the Internet allows people to feel more free, psychologically speaking, to use deception, at least when meeting new people."

Liars are everywhere (NOTE: Subscribers can still listen to this show), but NOT on unknowncountry.com. We always try to tell you the truth and–unlike most websites–we correct ourselves when we’re wrong. Isn’t this the kind of website you want to still be here tomorrow? There’s only ONE way to make sure this happens: Subscribe today!

Image Credits:
News Source:
Dreamland Video podcast
To watch the FREE video version on YouTube, click here.

Subscribers, to watch the subscriber version of the video, first log in then click on Dreamland Subscriber-Only Video Podcast link.