Questions and Answers
What does the polygraph measure?
Physiological changes associated with arousal.
What does the polygraph record?
Heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate and galvanic skin response.
What is the presumption behind the polygraph?
Lying produces heightened physiological arousal.
What are control questions?
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What are relevant questions?
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What are the limitations of the polygraph?
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Study Notes
Polygraph Overview
- Measures physiological changes linked to emotional arousal, such as stress or anxiety.
- Assesses reactions to specific questions via physiological responses.
Physiological Measurements
- Records multiple bodily functions including:
- Heart rate
- Blood pressure
- Breathing rate
- Galvanic skin response (sweat gland activity)
Presumption of Polygraph Testing
- Assumes that deception triggers increased physiological arousal.
- Compares reactions during calm states versus responses to emotionally significant questions.
Control Questions
- Establish a baseline physiological response for comparison.
- Include routine or non-emotional inquiries alongside slightly discomforting questions to raise arousal.
- Incorporate both positive (expecting a 'yes' answer) and negative questions (expecting a 'no') to accurately gauge responses.
Relevant Questions
- Focus specifically on the subject of the test, tied to the alleged crime.
- Innocent individuals typically show similar arousal responses to control and relevant questions.
- Individuals lying about the relevant matter tend to exhibit heightened physiological reactions.
Limitations of Polygraph Testing
- Similar physiological responses can arise from various emotions (guilt, fear, anxiety), complicating interpretations.
- External factors like medications may affect metabolic functions and physiological arousal.
- Self-inflicted pain can artificially elevate arousal levels, leading to misleading findings.
- Individuals with inherently low heart and breathing rates may show minimal differences in reactions.
- Sedatives can depress physiological responses, producing low reactiveness.
- Pathological liars may not exhibit typical physiological signs of deception.
- Environmental factors (like temperature fluctuations) may skew polygraph results.
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Description
This set of flashcards explores the fundamental concepts of polygraph testing. Discover what physiological changes the polygraph measures, the types of data it records, and the underlying assumptions related to lying and arousal. Perfect for students or professionals in psychology or criminology.
