Othello effect

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The Othello error , originally Othello error (Engl. Othello Error ) or rare Othello theory (Engl. Othello Theory ) is a term used in psychology states and that (eg., During an in intensive survey situations interrogation ) the A person's extreme nervousness is not necessarily due to that person also telling the untruth ( lying ).

Definition of terms

The original term Othello error - today referred to as the Othello effect in literature - was introduced in 1985 by the anthropologist and psychologist Paul Ekman in his book Telling Lies :
In a questioning situation ( interrogation , (cross) interrogation, inquisition) that potentially - if the accusation is confirmed - can have serious consequences for the person questioned, this person, who is actually innocent and telling the truth, can act nervously, fearfully or contradictingly. The interrogator can thereby confuse the interrogated person's behavior with the nervous and anxious behavior of an actual liar who is afraid of being exposed. The interrogator so perhaps a mistake ( error ) if it does not recognize that only the stress of the interview situation the same conduct and body language can cause as the nervousness out of concern for the transfer of a lie .

The name of the term is derived from the play Othello by William Shakespeare , in which Othello biased and with strong emotions accuses his wife Desdemona of being unfaithful and makes the mistake of crying out, also emotional assurances that this is not the case, does not believe.

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Gini Graham Scott: The Truth about Lying: Why and How We All Do It and What to Do about It , iUniverse (2006), p. 179
  2. ^ Robert A. Giacalone and Paul Rosenfeld: Impression management in the organization , Routledge (1989), p. 389
  3. ↑ Lenese Herbert: Othello Error: Facial Profiling, Privacy, and the Suppression of Dissent , Ohio State Journal of Criminal Law, Volume 5, p. 79 (PDF; 376 kB)

bibliography

  • Paul Ekman: Telling Lies: Clues to Deceit in the Marketplace, Politics, and Marriage (WW Norton & Company, 1985) ISBN 0-393-32188-6