Information manipulation theory

One way of thinking about how deceptive messages are generated is in terms of how the information that interactants possess is manipulated within the messages that they produce. Information Manipulation Theory suggests that deceptive messages function deceptively because they covertly violate the principles that govern conversational exchanges. Given that conversational interactants possess assumptions regarding the quantity, quality, manner, and relevance of information that should be presented, it is possible for speakers to exploit any or all of these assumptions by manipulating the information that they possess so as to mislead listeners. By examining various message examples, it is demonstrated that IMT helps to reconcile previous disagreement about the properties of deceptive messages.

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