06.02.2025 Neuer Preprint: Revisiting the Effect of Discrepant Perceptual Fluency on Truth Judgments

Revisiting the Effect of Discrepant Perceptual Fluency on Truth Judgments

Autoren:
Aktepe, S. C. &  Heck, D. W.

Abstract:

Fluency theory assumes that perceived truth is influenced by the subjective ease with
 which presented information is processed. Several studies have demonstrated that increased
 perceptual fluency, induced by high versus low color contrast of presented statements,
 results in higher truth judgments. According to the discrepancy-attribution hypothesis, the
 unexpected switch from several low-fluency stimuli to a high-fluency stimulus is assumed to
 enhance perceived truthfulness. In two online studies (one preregistered), we aimed to
 replicate the central finding by Hansen, Dechêne, and Wänke (2008; Journal of
 Experimental Social Psychology) that discrepancies in color contrast influence truth
 judgments. Additionally, we extended the original design by varying the length of stimulus
 blocks presented in low or high color contrast. Contrary to previous findings, neither the
 level of perceptual fluency nor unexpected discrepancies in fluency affected truth judgments
 even though high-contrast statements were read faster than low-contrast ones, indicating
 that processing fluency was successfully manipulated. A meta-analysis combining our two
 experiments with published studies shows that the effect of perceptual fluency induced by
 color contrast on truth judgments may not be as robust as previously thought.

 

Aktepe, S. C., & Heck, D. W. (2025). Revisiting the Effect of Discrepant Perceptual Fluency on Truth Judgments. PsyArXiv. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/rcehz_v1