RT Article
T1 (MIS)measuring cognitive load and arousal in deception: A multitrait–multimethod analysis
JF Legal and criminological psychology
VO 30
IS 1
SP 127
OP 142
A1 Lahay, Ryan
A2 Leach, Amy-May
A2 Cutler, Brian L. 1960-
A2 Woolridge, Lyndsay R.
A2 Elliott, Elizabeth
LA English
YR 2025
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1915194172
AB Purpose Cognitive load and arousal are cornerstones of many deception detection strategies and theories; in turn, their effective measurement is critical. However, fundamental criteria for establishing the quality and accuracy of measures have largely been overlooked. In this study, we examined the reliability and construct validity of common cognitive load and arousal measures. Method We obtained three independent secondary datasets in which participants (N = 238) had lied or told the truth about witnessing a suspicious event. Using a multitrait–multimethod analysis, we assessed three measures of their cognitive load and arousal: participants' self-reports, trained coders' observations, and objective behaviours. Results Although all measures were reliable, they achieved differing levels of validation. Specifically, measures of cognitive load showed evidence of convergent validity, but not discriminant validity. There was no empirical support for the construct validity of arousal measures. Conclusions These findings suggest that inconsistencies in the diagnosticity of cues to deception and theory support may be attributable to the measures employed. Researchers may not be assessing constructs of interest, particularly in the case of arousal.
K1 Validity
K1 multitrait–multimethod
K1 Deception
K1 cognitive load
K1 arousal
DO 10.1111/lcrp.12299