Instrumentality refers to the means-end connection, i.e., the
relation between goals and the behavioral means to reach these
goals (e.g. Becker & McClintock, 1967; Edwards, 1961; Mitchell &
Biglan, 1971). As noted above, past theory and research has often
stressed that deception is a means for increasing the own outcomes.
We would like to point out, however, that the instrumentality
perspective is broader than the issue of how an individual
means relates to a certain goal, such as furthering the own outcome;
instrumentality also pertains to the selection of means. For
example, if one’s goal is to return home as quickly as possible,
one may be tempted to cross a red light if that is the only option
available. However, if one has an alternative route without a traffic
light, one may also opt for this latter option. The instrumentality
approach presupposes that people select the means they find most
instrumental to their current goal.