#088 - Polygraphs & Lies
Cited Research & Additional Sources
Grubin, D., & Madsen, L. (2005). Lie detection and the polygraph: A historical review. The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology,16, 357-369.
Langleben, D. D., Dattilio, F. M., & Guthel, T.G. (2006). True lies: Delusions and lie-detection technology. Journal of Psychiatry & Law. 34, 351-370.
Lykken, D. (1998). A Tremor in the Blood: Uses and Abuses of the Lie Detector, 2d ed. New York: Perseus.
National Academy of Sciences (2002). The Polygraph and Lie Detection. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
Saxe, L. (1991). Lying: Thoughts of an applied social psychologist. American Psychologist, Vol. 46, No. 4, pp. 409-4
Based on research by the American Psychological Association, adapted by Juanita N Baker, Ph.D..
What鈥檚 The Truth About Lie Detectors? Courts, including the United States Supreme Court (cf. U.S. v. Scheffer, 1998 in which Dr. Leonard Saxe鈥檚 research on polygraph fallibility was cited), have repeatedly rejected the use of polygraph evidence because of its inherent unreliability. A 鈥渓ie detector鈥 only infers deception by analyzing physiological responses to an unstandardized series of questions.
The polygraph typically records three indicators of arousal: heart rate/blood pressure, respiration, and skin conductivity. The procedure compares responses to 鈥渞elevant鈥 questions (e.g., 鈥淒id you shoot your wife?鈥), with 鈥渃ontrol鈥 questions concerning misdeeds that are similar to those being investigated, but refer to the person鈥檚 past, e.g., 鈥淗ave you ever betrayed someone who trusted you?鈥
People are assumed to fear control questions designed to arouse their concern about their past truthfulness, more than relevant questions asking about a crime they know they did not commit. Thus, persons are labeled 鈥渄eceiving鈥 if they respond more to relevant questions. Yet, there is no evidence that any pattern of physiological reactions is unique to deception. An honest person may be nervous when answering truthfully and a dishonest person may not be anxious.
Most psychologists agree there are few good studies showing that polygraph tests can accurately detect lies. Remain skeptical about any conclusion wrung from a polygraph.