The assessment of credibility: An analysis of truth and deception in a multiethnic environment.

Abstract

Evidence-base practice (EBP) is now commonplace in many health care services and, in recent years, there has been a healthy debate about the role of EBP in psychology. In this article, I provide information on the nature of EBP and how it is consistent with professional training models and standards in psychology. In discussing some of the concerns that have been raised about the value of EBP in psychology, I present research fmdings on the relevance and potential impact of evidence-based assessment and treatment practices. Finally, after highlighting the promise of EBP, I offer some recommendations for how training efforts in professional psychology should be refocused in order to optimally prepare current and future psychologists to practice in an evidence-based manner.In the past decade, the promotion of an evidencebased approach to the practice of professional psychology has taken centre stage in most discussions about the nature and future of professional psychology. Developed within medicine, the evidence-based practice model is now being integrated into many health and human service systems, including mental and behavioural health care, social work, education, and criminal justice (Barlow, 2004;Mullen & Streiner, 2004). Leading experts in psychotherapy and mental health research have predicted that, by 2010, the use of evidence-based treatments will be required in health care systems and that practice guidelines will be a standard part of the delivery of psychotherapy services (Norcross, Hedges, & Prochaska, 2002). In this article, I examine the mounting evidence that supports the application of the principles of evidencebased practice (EBP) to the practice of professional psychology. Following a presentation of the nature of EBP and consideration of its fit with current professional standards in psychology, I will briefly examine some of the controversies surrounding the implemenCanadian Psychology/Psychologie canadienne, 2007, 48:1, 32-42 tation of EBP in psychology before moving on to present research findings on the relevance and potential impact of evidence-based assessment and treatment practices. Having highlighted the promise of EBP in psychology, in a fmal section, I will offer some training recommendations aimed at ensuring that practicing professional psychologists, as well as those in graduate training, are competent to deliver the best scientifically informed health care services to the public. EBP and Professional Standards in PsychologyEBP involves the synthesis of information drawn from systematically collected data, clinical expertise, and patient preferences when considering health care options for patients (Institute of Medicine, 2001;Sackett, Rosenberg, Gray, Haynes, & Richardson, 1996), and emphasizes the critical importance of informing patients, based on the best available research evidence, about viable options for assessment, prevention, or intervention services. Therefore, in order to practice in an evidence-based manner, a health care professional must be familiar with the curren...

Detecting Deception in Non‐Native English Speakers

“…Despite the importance of credibility assessment in many contexts (e.g., criminal justice system), it is not a skill that has been mastered, and likely never will be (although there are some promising lines of research that may move us toward that goal, e.g., Vrij & Granhag, ). One area that has received little attention, but is becoming increasingly important, is the ability to detect deceit in people who are not speaking their first language (Sabourin, ). This skill is crucial for professionals in many settings, from clinicians detecting malingering to customs, immigration, and border patrol officials attempting to determine who can enter and exit the country, to law enforcement dealing with witnesses and suspects, and to military and human intelligence personnel attempting to gain information from sources and detainees overseas.…”

Understanding Facial Expressions in Communication

“…However, this chapter has challenged this view and argued that deception research needs to move away from this "cultural vacuum" perspective (Kim et al 2008, p. 24) and start recognizing the cultural and cross-cultural factors that may impact deceptive communication and lie detection in cross-cultural contexts. It was argued that this view is problematic because it largely ignores the influence of culture in the communication process, particularly given that contemporary research has shown that culture has a significant impact on the way an individual communicates and that deceptive communication is not exempt from such influence (e.g., Gudykunst 2004;Sabourin 2007;Vrij andWinkel 1991, 1994).…”

The effects of examiner personality variables and training on the accuracy of detection of deception

“…Deception is defined as the purposeful act of creating an impression in others, in spite of the deceiver's knowledge that the information provided is false, misleading or inaccurate (Zukerman, Depaulo, & Rosenthal, 1981). By this definition, individuals who provide inaccurate information during an investigation process-perhaps due to possible memory failures or while in states of psychological distress or highly suggestible states-cannot be classified as deceptive, even though they may be considered unreliable witnesses (Sabourin, 2007). Given the importance of assessments or judgments of truthfulness in criminal justice and security intelligence operations, as well as the complexity of rendering decisions of truth or deception, an understanding of the process and persons who render said assessments and factors leading to the correct judgments of truthfulness or deception is important.…”

“…This strategy accorded persons with good personal background and reputation more credibility than persons who were of ill repute. However, this reputation-centric assessment of credibility did not take into account that deception is a situation-specific behavior and that persons of good reputation in certain situations have the potential to engage in deception and provide false statements or testimony (Sabourin, 2007).…”