Advisor: Richard Catrambone, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech)

Thesis Committee Members:
Richard Catrambone, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech)
Sidni Justus, Ph.D. (Oglethorpe University)
Bruce N. Walker, Ph.D. (Georgia Tech)

Title: Individual Difference in Deepfake Detection: Mindblindness and Political Orientation

Abstract: The proliferation of the capability for producing and distributing deepfake videos threatens the integrity

of systems of justice, democratic processes, and the general ability to critically assess evidence. The

proposed work is intended to reveal individual differences that meaningfully predict one’s ability to detect

these forgeries. It is hypothesized that measures of affect detection (frequently implemented as diagnostic

instruments for autism spectrum disorder) and political orientation will correlate with performance on a

deepfake detection task. Participants (N = 165) will complete survey measures, and the deepfake

detection task, in an online environment. If reliable predictors of deepfake detection ability are identified

it may help to inform the design and allocation of tools and trainings intended to defend the most

vulnerable among us from deception by deepfake. A secondary aim of the proposed work is to generate

evidence that the deepfake detection task could be used as a diagnostic instrument for autism spectrum disorder.