Deception and Lies in Politics and Social Media

Social media and the internet have transformed how we access information, yet they have simultaneously fueled a crisis of deception, misinformation, and disinformation that challenge the very foundations of democratic society. Truth-telling, once a cornerstone of public discourse, has been undermined and increasingly replaced by the strategic use of deception—"alternative facts," conspiracy theories, self-serving fabrications, and half-truths are now rewarded and even celebrated as effective tools for shaping public opinion, despite their profound dangers. What was once a clear separation of truth and lies has now become blurred.

This book explores lying and deception in social media and politics through a multidisciplinary lens, drawing on insights from psychology, religious studies, communication, political science and public administration, and public health. Contributing authors examine this urgent problem, offering explanations for the prevalence of deception while analysing its serious consequences for individuals, communities, and societies at large. Importantly, they also propose meaningful solutions.

A distinctive feature of this volume is the inclusion of undergraduate and graduate students as authors and co-authors across several chapters. As digital natives navigating the latest developments in social media and AI, young adults bring essential perspectives to this conversation. Their concerns and insights are presented verbatim in the Foreword, adding authenticity and immediacy to the discussion.

Written in accessible language that reflects the interdisciplinary nature of the work, and enriched by student voices, this book appeals to a broad audience: students and researchers across multiple disciplines, as well as general readers seeking to understand and navigate the pervasive challenges of lying and deception in our contemporary information environment.

C. Dominik Güss is Distinguished and Presidential Professor of Psychology at the University of North Florida. He has published on terrorism, human error, creativity, and decision making across cultures. His research has been funded by the National Science Foundation, the Humboldt Foundation, and a Marie-Curie Fellowship of the European Commission

Christa Arnold is an Associate Professor in the School of Communication at the University of North Florida. Christa’s primary research and publication areas include lying and deception detection in mediated/textual deception, deception in medical interviews, social listening, and communication skills building in healthcare. She has received monetary awards to co-develop a digital deception detection methodology.

Julie Ingersoll, Professor of Religious Studies University of North Florida is author of numerous books and articles including Evangelical Christian Women: War Stories and Building God's Kingdom inside the World of Christian Reconstruction. She's been featured on NPR and in LaMonde, and cited widely in news outlets.