LIARS AND OTHERS . AN ATTEMPT TO VERIFY THE HYPOTHESIS THAT IT IS HUMANLY POSSIBLE TO DETECT DECEIVERS

This article presents the results of empirical research verifying the hypothesis that it is humanly possible to detect deceivers. The theoretical basis for the research project were the assumptions of the social contract conception by Leda Cosmides and John Tooby. The project was conducted in a few research stages, in which 556 people took part (221 people in the actual research). After analysis of the results, which constituted photographs and films with men participating, an answer was given to the main research question (Is there a significant difference between accuracy in identifying liars and people possessing other socially unwelcome features?). Analyses in the preliminary stages also answered the question concerning people's convictions on the harmfulness of telling a lie in social relations, as well as in their declarations concerning the ability level of identifying and remembering liars.