Liar, Liar, Email on Fire!

happygeek 0 Tallied Votes 303 Views Share

A researcher has revealed that people are far more likely to tell lies using email than they would do if they were writing on pen and paper it seems. In two studies, Liuba Belkin reached the conclusion that people lie 50 percent more often in emails.

This, of course, is no real ground-shaker. After all, if you cannot embellish the truth while enjoying the remote safety net of email communication then when can you? Well, maybe in a text message on your mobile phone, but that's besides the point. What is rather surprising is that the studies tend to suggest that people feel quite happy, quite justified in fact, in telling whopping great porkies in their email messages.

Belkin, an assistant professor of management in the college of business and economics at Lehigh University is concerned that email is getting a reputation as an untrustworthy medium. “You’re not afforded the luxury of seeing non-verbal and behavioral cues over e-mail. And in an organizational context, that leaves a lot of room for misinterpretation and, as we saw in our study, intentional deception” she says.

Indeed, in one study that involved 48 full-time MBA students being given $89 to share between themselves and a fictional party, only aware that there was between 5 and 100 bucks in the pool, saw students using email fib over 90 percent of the time compared to those using pen and paper who 'only' lied around 60 percent of the time.

A second study tried to delve deeper into whether a shared sense of identity can reduce the email lie impulse. This time with 69 full-time MBA students, the results revealed that the more familiar the emailers were the less deceptive they tended to be.

Well knock me down with a feather on that one. Not.

They did, however, still lie. And that regardless of how well they identified with each other.

“The study of industrial psychology and the evolving use of e-mail are presenting some interesting challenges for organizations across the board,” says Belkin “We know it’s a socially acceptable way to communicate, but how that translates in the workplace is a different story entirely.”

I wonder, was Sarah Palin involved in the survey considering here recent run in with email honesty? Here in the UK the Government is considering reading all our email which just makes me want to lie more, rather than less, in order to confuse the poor dears...

badVirus 0 Newbie Poster

Joyce Joy to bev
show details 6:30 PM (5 minutes ago)


How are you this moment? .
I hope this my mail will reach you in good condition of health,l am really happy for your reply, I will really like to have a good relationship with you, and I have a special reason why I decided to contact you because of the urgency of my situation here and I am Miss. Joyce Samuel k Doe 24years old girl from Liberia, the only daughter of Late President Samuel Kanyon Doe who was killed by Prince Johnson and his rebels groups after many innocent soul were killed ,My father was killed by government of Prince Johnson, he accuse my father of coup attempt.
I am constrained to contact you because of the maltreatment I, am receiving from my step mother. She planned to take away all my late father's treasury and properties from me since the unexpected death of my beloved Father.
Meanwhile I wanted to escape to the Europe but she hide away my international passport and other valuable traveling documents. Luckily she did not discover where I kept my Father's File which contains important documents. So I decided to run to the refugee camp where I am presently seeking asylum under the United Nations High Commission for the Refugee here in Dakar , Republic of Senegal . I wish to contact you personally for a long term business relationship and investment assistance in your country.
My father of blessed memory deposited the sum of US$1,978, 000.00 in Finance Firm with my name as the next of kin. However, I shall forward you with the necessary information of the deposit on confirmation of your acceptance to assist me for the transfer and investment of the fund in your country. As you will help me in an investment, and I will like to complete my studies, as I was in my school, when the crisis started.
It is my intention to compensate you with 5% of the total money for your services and the balance shall be my investment capital. This is the reason why I decided to contact you. Please all communications should be through this email address only for confidential purposes.
As soon as I receive your positive response showing your interest I will put things into action immediately. In the light of the above, I shall appreciate an urgent message indicating your ability and willingness to handle this transaction sincerely.
I am staying at the female hostel. Awaiting your urgent and positive response. Please do keep this only to your self please I beg you not to disclose it till I come over , once the fund has been transferred. I hope my explanation is very clear but if you need further clarification, then send in your questions.i will try to send you my picture in my next mail.
Thanks as i hope to receive from you soon.
Yours Truly Joyce
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*I got his email and I am not sure if I should reply to it or not*

I mean what if she really does have a lot of money and she is really HOT! I am cofussed.
:( anyone help me please.

badVirus 0 Newbie Poster

*this

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.