Deception Detection: Comparing the Lexicon-Based Approaches and Verifiability Approach

Deception detection methods have advanced beyond identifying nonverbal behavior with increasing focus on content analysis of verbal behavior. Content analysis deception detection has been dominated by lexicon-based approaches. The verifiability approach is a newer method of content analysis deception detection. The purpose of this study was to compare these approaches on the same data set to assess whether lexicon-based or verifiability approach content analysis is more accurate at detecting deception. In this study, lexicon-based content analysis using the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) software was conducted on accounts from a prior verifiability approach study. Separate regression models were constructed to assess honest and deceptive alibi accounts using each approach. Both the lexicon-based and verifiability models detected deception at above chance accuracy; predictive accuracy did not significantly differ between these approaches. Implications for the application of content analysis to detect deception are discussed.