Final answer:
During an interview, a deceptive subject may choose between deception, evasion, truth, or silence. Body language and non-verbal cues play a critical role in discerning these responses. Researchers occasionally use deception in studies to reduce bias but must conduct ethical debriefing.
Step-by-step explanation:
When asked a direct question during an interview, a deceptive subject has four verbal responses to choose from: deception, evasion, truth, or silence (not speaking). In the context of research interviews and surveys, this behavior is of interest because it can greatly influence the accuracy of data collected. Researchers need to read body language and be aware of non-verbal cues, as these can help determine when a subject is being deceptive or evasive. In some research studies, deception may be used as a tool to prevent bias in responses, but it is essential that any deception does not harm participants and that they are fully debriefed afterward.
Another important concept to consider is social pressure, which may cause participants to respond in a way they think is more socially acceptable rather than candidly. This is known as the Bradley effect, named after an event where individuals did not want to appear racist or politically incorrect and thus provided misleading responses to pollsters. It is crucial for researchers to phrase questions in a way that does not suggest there is a right or wrong answer, in order to minimize bias and enhance the likelihood of obtaining honest responses.