Othello error

The Othello effect, originally Othello error (English Othello Error) or rare Othello Theory (English Othello Theory), is a term from psychology and states that in intensive survey situations (eg, during an interrogation ) the extreme nervousness of a person is not necessarily due to the fact that this person is telling the untruth ( lie ).

Term occupancy

The original concept Othello Error - now referred to in the literature as Othello effect - was introduced in 1985 by the anthropologist and psychologist Paul Ekman in his book Telling Lies: In an interview situation ( questioning, (cross) interrogation, inquisition ), which potentially - on confirmation of accusations - can result in a serious consequence for the respondent by itself, can this person who is actually innocent and telling the truth, nervous, anxious or act inconsistent. The interrogator can thus the behavior of the interrogated person with the nervous - anxious behavior of an actual liar confuse who is afraid of being exposed. Thus, the interrogator may commits a fault ( error ) if he does not recognize that only the stress of the interview situation can cause the same behavior and body language as the nervousness out of concern for the transfer of a lie.

The name derives from the term is the play Othello by William Shakespeare, in Othello biased and under strong emotions of his wife Desdemona accuses infidelity and the error (sic ) is penalized for their raised under wines, also emotional protestations that this is not so, no faith gives.