Liar, liar, slacks on fire : levels of self-esteem as antecedents of deception on LinkedIn

The current study investigates the relationship of self-esteem and deception on LinkedIn. Previous research pointed in multiple directions linking self-esteem to deception and questioning the causality. First, participants’ (N = 90) state self-esteem was manipulated using fake personality test outcomes. Participants were then asked to apply for a fictional job by filling in a mock LinkedIn profile. State and trait self-esteem were tested for an effect on deception in the mock profiles. Afterwards, the relationship of trait self-esteem and participants’ real LinkedIn profiles was tested. A significant effect of state self-esteem on deception in the mock profiles was found. However, no significant effect was found for the relationship of trait self-esteem on deception in either the mock or real LinkedIn profiles.