Exploring political skill and deception

Bibliographic Data

ID11195331
AuthorsJeffrey A Clements (0000-0002-7296-5640, Weber State University, corresponding author), Randy Boyle (Weber State University), Jeffrey Gainer Proudfoot (Bentley University)
Year2016
Volume36
Issue3/4
Pages138-156
Publication date2016-04-11
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Sociology and Social Policy (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0144-333X • E-ISSN: 1758-6720
PublisherEmerald (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1108/ijssp-09-2014-0063
OpenAlexW2341814501
LanguageEN
References cited34

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore and develop a model which examines the effects of political skill on an individual’s intent to deceive. Design/methodology/approach – Data were obtained through a survey research design ( n =273). The sample consisted of college students. A covariance-based structural equation modeling approach was used to analyze the data. Findings – Individual’s with high levels of political skill had more deception confidence and less deception guilt. Increased deception confidence was shown to be positively related to perceptions of deception success which is turn is positively associated with deception intent. The factors duping delight and deception guilt were also found to be related to deception intent. Research limitations/implications – This research furthers deception research by using a strong behavioral framework to determine the motivational influences on an individual’s politically motivated intent to deceive. In doing so, this research identifies factors which contribute to the general understanding of politically motivated deception intent. However, caution must be applied when making external generalizations outside of the sample of college students. Practical implications – There are practical applications to this research as well. In general those who are highly politically skilled seem to have a stronger intention to deceive. At best, these findings can begin to contribute to the understanding of who we can trust and who we should be wary of. At worst, these findings can help us know who we should turn to when we need to deceive and manipulate others without them catching on. Perhaps this is why we love the rock-star politicians on the side of the isle but loathe the rock-star politicians on the other side of the isle. If we are able to assess the level of political skill in our friends, co-workers, bosses, politicians, etc., we may be keener in picking up on the signals of deception. Social implications – One final area of future research which can build on the concepts presented in this study is the area of social and political power at the macro level. Though the focus of this study is the individual, it is possible that political skill and deceptive communications play an important part of power relationships in wide range of stable institutional systems. Future research should examine to what extent an individual’s political skill and deception abilities can influence society at large. Originality/value – This research extends research on political skill as it explores the effect of political skill in a new context. This research identifies an important facet of why some individuals are better able than others to successfully deceive and may help explain some of the variability in the inability to consistently detect deception efforts

Deception · Motivated reasoning · Perception · Political science · Politics · Sample (material · Self-deception · Deception detection and forensic psychology · Misinformation and Its Impacts · Psychology · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Social Psychology

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