Exploring the underlying psychological correlates of self-deception

Abstract

The present study aims to explore the cognitive basis of self-deception on the basis of the participants’ performance on a deception task and its relation to other cognitive variables. A total of 130 healthy participants (58 males and 72 females) of the age range of 18-25 years having a minimum educational qualification of ‘passed grade XII’ were screened and selected for the study using General Health Questionnaire 28. By using an interview format, the researcher collected personally significant information from the participants to be used later in the deception task. An android based mobile application was prepared to generate and administer the deception task. The participants were also assessed on Stroop Task (www.onlinestrooptest.com), Eyesenck Personality Questionnaire (1975), Rotter’s Locus of Control Scale (1954), Rosenberg’s Self Esteem Scale (1965) Generalized Self Efficacy Scale (Schwarzer, R. and Jerusalem, M., 1995). Statistical analysis revealed self-deception is related to personality and cognitive inhibition. The results were discussed in light of recent literature.