Meaning of Othello error | Babel Free

Definitions

An erroneous conclusion that someone is lying based on signs of stress.

Examples

“Out of such turmoil, it must be expected that some significant percent of Othello errors (false positives) will subsequently be improperly scored as hits when innocent subjects "confess" in return for a reduced charge.”

“The relatively low accuracy rates for detecting truths in CQT polygraph research (discussed before) is perhaps the result of the Othello error (Ofshe & Leo, 1997).”

“Ekman said the Othello error stems from a truthful person being afraid of not being believed.”

“The Othello error is a common occurrence in traditional lie detection, which departs from the stress-based approach to lying.”

CEFR level