Effects of Dodging Questions: How Politicians Escape Deception Detection and How They Get Caught

Abstract

People often need to dodge questions. Politicians presumably are the worst offenders. Two recent theories of deception make assertions applicable to politicians dodging questions: information manipulation theory 2 and truth-default theory. We examine both in two experiments. We constructed news interviews with a politician dodging questions. Results indicate people detect particular types of dodges and dodging impairs trustworthiness. But detection also depends on the strength of political attitudes. Furthermore, personality trait suspicion moderates perceptions of trustworthiness. We also extend theorizing and suggest dodges are detected because of rumination triggered by topic avoidance. Discussion includes ramifications for political engagement when the public perception of politicians “always” dodging questions is supported by extensive cognitive mechanisms.