Interpersonal Deception Theory - Theoretical Perspective

Theoretical Perspective

Interpersonal deception theory views deception through the theoretical lens of interpersonal communication. As such, it considers deception as an interactive process between a sender and receiver. In contrast with previous studies of deception that focused on the sender and receiver individually, IDT focuses on the dyadic, relational, and dialogic nature of deceptive communication. Behaviors between the sender and receiver are dynamic, multifunctional, multidimensional, and multimodal.

• Dyadic communication refers to communication between two people. A dyad is a group of two people between whom messages are sent and received.
• Relational communication refers to communication in which meaning is created by two people simultaneously filling the roles of both sender and receiver.
• Dialogic activity refers to the active communicative language of the sender and receiver, each relying upon the other within the exchange.

Consider the framework of psychotherapy and psychological counseling. The dyadic, relational and dialogic activity between therapist and patient relies upon honest, open communication if the patient is to recover and successfully integrate into healthier relationships. Deception uses the same theoretical framework, only in reverse, as the communication of one participant is deliberately false.