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Pinocchio's Clock: Using Response Time to Detect Deception in Sender-Receiver Games

Author

Listed:
  • Xin Jiang

    (University of Southern California)

  • Bohan Ye

    (Department of Economics, University of California Riverside)

Abstract

Timestamps that reveal response times (RTs) have become a common feature of contemporary social media platforms and messaging applications. What information does RT reveal when users have conflicting interests, and can they use this information to improve communication outcomes? We conduct a sender–receiver experiment to examine the relationship between RT and message honesty. We find that longer RTs are associated with a higher likelihood of deception, consistent with a cognitive-conflict mechanism under which lying involves greater cognitive struggle. Receivers, however, rely more consistently on senders’ message frequency than on RT when assessing message credibility.

Suggested Citation

  • Xin Jiang & Bohan Ye, 2026. "Pinocchio's Clock: Using Response Time to Detect Deception in Sender-Receiver Games," Working Papers 202608, University of California at Riverside, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ucr:wpaper:202608
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    File URL: https://economics.ucr.edu/repec/ucr/wpaper/202608.pdf
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    JEL classification:

    • C92 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Group Behavior
    • D01 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Microeconomic Behavior: Underlying Principles
    • D91 - Microeconomics - - Micro-Based Behavioral Economics - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making

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