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Polygraph psychology
Reliability of polygraph test 2018
Polygraph reliability essay
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We often see polygraph test being used on people in order to get to the truth of something. But how accurate are polygraph tests? We see polygraph tests on some of our favorite television shows; from Law and Order Special Victims Unit to Dr. Phil, etc. but how accurate can they be? Polygraph tests have always been something I was skeptical about because how accurate can a lie detector test be since sometimes our body can give a different answer. With that being said, can one really go off from a polygraph exam to determine the fate of a person? The polygraph test is conducted by using a polygraph machine. Polygraph exams can exhibit false results, in those scenarios, how can one determine these exams to be accurate? We assume that when we use polygraph tests we will …show more content…
How can one determine these exams to be accurate in truth-telling? The scientific method is there to help you follow/guide you to conduct a successful research study. The scientific method is used in many professional fields including chemistry, physics, biology and psychology. Landrum (2017) mentions how psychologists traditionally use the scientific method for use in research articles that can range from laboratory results, student research papers and formal manuscripts submitted for publication to peer-reviewed journals. Everyday psychologists, chemist, biologists, and other professionals use the scientific method to guide us through the research being conducted. In this case, I would use the scientific method to help guide me in running a successful research study to help determine the accuracy of a polygraph exam when knowing the exam can exhibit false results. Professionals would make observations, gather information, form theories, test predictions and interpret results all which is the standardized way of the scientific
The scientific method is how psychologists gain knowledge about the mind and behavior. It is used by all scientists. The experimental method is the one way to engage the scientific method, and the only way to find a cause and effect in relationships. It is summarized in five steps, observing some phenomenon in the world, forming a hypothesis which is an educated prediction about relationships between two or more variables, examining the gathered information by using empirical research, determining what the results are and drawing them, and evaluating the results whether it will support the hypothesis or not. Researchers, at the end, submit their work for publication for all to see and read (King, 2016). There are three types of psychological research in the scientific method, descriptive research, correlation, and experimental research (King, 2016). The article The Effects of Negative Body Talk in an Ethnically Diverse Sample of College Students (Katrevich, Register, & Aruguete, 2014) is an example of the experimental method.
The idea of a technique that can help people seek the truth has been around since 1878 thanks to the work of Angelo Mosso. It was not until later on that the polygraph was modified and used in conjunction with law enforcements. The polygraph was first used in 1895 and later on modified to modern technology and computerize around 1992. Polygraph has been around for centuries but is still an inconsistent technique and grounds for errors at court. The polygraph can cause the case in court to be grounds for dismissal and well as a mistrial. The polygraph also crosses the line within the Constitution specifically the Fifth, Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments by violating the due process and the self-incrimination guarantees which are part on these
Could someone trust the results of a lie detector test? It is not hard to control the responses that someone is looking for. It is hard to distinguish between nerves from the test or nerves from lying. Many people can respond differently to lying, there is no set reaction to deception. Can we really trust the results of a lie detector test, or is it something we have created to be able to put the blame on someone. Lie detector tests do not determine truthful statements.
The polygraph became a valuable tools used by the different varieties of law enforcement agencies as either investigative information for evidence. By the same token, used as a hiring process in the different departments. It is used to determine the truthfulness of suspects, witness, victims, informants, and in employees. Yet there is question on the accuracy of the results when they are turned out to be not as expected, and whether or not it should be used in the process of employment. This paper will explore and discuss the art of utilizing ...
Applied scientists apply knowledge to solve practical problems of the modern world rather than acquire knowledge for knowledge sake. Basic scientists pursue knowledge motivated by scientific curiosity or interest in a scientific question and study a phenomenon to expand understanding in order to contribute to scientific advances in the area, not to solve a problem. The role of the policy evaluator is one in which psychologists who have methodological skills in assessing how well a policy has worked provide data regarding the effects of that policy. A forensic evaluator is responsible for providing forensic mental health assessments and expert court testimony on a variety of topics related to legal questions involving mental and emotional disorders, intellectual functioning, substance abuse, and other clinical disorders, as well as capacities that are directly related to the legal question. The role of ...
This essay examines the advantages and disadvantages of using a method primarily for gathering research on human subjects that can be examined for later use. It will give a basic outline of the methods of investigation, their uses and their suitability. I will also look at the scientific method as a whole and examine the criticisms of this method using the writings of Hume and Popper.
The scientific method is the analyzation of evidence, to examine a case from every angle possible, to not give up on an investigation until all of the angles are covered and to not allow personal emotions create a bias in their mind (Osterburg 2010). A scientific method example would be when an investigator arrives to a crime scene, they would first search the area for clues and see if something doesn’t seem right. Next they would have to search for different forms of evidence, most important would be trace evidence because it can provide DNA evidence which can also link a suspect to the crime. There are many more ways evidence and other clues can be harvested from a crime scene but it is up to the investigator to use their knowledge and help find the person responsible for the crime
Whereas the real picture of forensic evidence is unlike what is represented in movies and television shows where a fingerprint or a trace of hair is found, then it’s game over for the criminal. Reality is not as straightforward. As more people are exposed to the unreal forensic world through television and media the likeliness for a wrong conviction increases with juries assuming the evidence involves more science than what it really does, this is known as the CSI Effect. Further education and training is needed for the people of the court, the forensic specialists, and so called experts. The people in courts do not question any of the ‘professionals’ and just trust in their expertise. The court could overcome this perception by requiring explanation of error rates in a forensic field. To do this, testing examiner error rates will be necessary which means further research. Forensic science has such a large effect on the prosecution of suspects, experts have been known to provide questionable and at times incorrect evidence. When a false conviction occurs the true perpetrator is set free. Once realized, the public doubts the justice system and the reliability of the forensic evidence even more. At this point in time, forensic is an inexact
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind, brain, and behavior. In psychology, and all of the other sciences, relying on opinions is abandoned in order to find out which explanations best fit the evidence or data given. Science continually forces us to question our findings and conclusions. Over time, psychology has advanced greatly and a main reason for such progressiveness is because of the change in the research model used.
A polygraph test can record a person's breathing rate, pulse, blood pressure, perspiration and other significant physiological changes that suggest a person is lying, but it should not be used as evidence in a court of law because it does not provide reliable proof of a person's physical reaction to the stress of lying.
A popular way on many crime dramas to determine if a suspect is lying or telling the truth is by hooking them up to a polygraph machine. In a matter of a minute the police are able to determine if the suspect is lying and guilty or, on the rare occasion, telling the truth and innocent. But, one has to wonder, is it really that simple? Polygraphs measure four main factors that are thought to change when a lie is told and more importantly, it is assumed that these changes indicate deception. The four main factors are blood pressure, heart beat, perspiration, and breathing and these are recorded by using simple devices. It is important to note from the beginning that those who question the reliability of polygraphs do not doubt the reliability of the measurements, but the ability of the measurements to indicate and/or prove deception. Even though doubt exists as to the reliability, polygraphs are used not only in law enforcement settings, but also in intelligence agencies, in the maintaining security of industry, and for public safety and service around the world. Despite its prevalence, there are many groups that call into question the effectiveness, reliability, and fairness of polygraph testing. This paper will explore this question by first looking into the history of polygraphs including court rulings and how polygraph tests are done, then current use, and finally looking at sources of bias and error in the test and the process.
Before knowing that polygraphs/ lie-detectors actually give truthful results, you have to know what they actually are. Polygraphs are lie-detecting tests that measures and records indices such as blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and skin conductivity while the person is answering questions that are asked. Polygraphs are machines that has many sensors and a heart rate cuff connected to the machine that are placed on your body. The sensors placed on your body and the heart rate cuff placed on your stomach will sense the way your body changes physically while you are answering questions that are asked. Sensors are also placed on the suspect’s fingertips. While being questioned a piece of paper will be determining your lies by a pen drawing on the paper your different rates from your body.
Anything that can be studied is absolutely considered a science. When people think of science and the scientific method they most often think of chemicals. Human experiment’s can also be conducted and considered scientific. The scientific method can be used to study people. Simply start by asking a question, doing background research, and then constructing a hypothesis. When studying people or their culture you can absolutely start with these simple steps, therefore using science to study these people. After determining your hypothesis, you can test it with an experiment, record your results and form a conclusion. “Science is the best system yet devised for reducing subjective bias, error, untruths, lies, and frauds.” (Harris, 1994, Pg. 6) Harris states that using science is they best way to prevent errors or miscalculations. We use science everyday; to assess every situation, and every problem that we have, even when we don’t think we a...
The first method to be discussed and analysed are experimental methods. There is a variety of experimental methods including; laboratory, field and natural experiments. These methods are the most scientific method due to them being highly objective and systematic. In addition, this method is regarded as the most powerful research method used in psychology because of the potential to investigate the causes of events and therefore, identifying the cause and effect relationship. When carrying out an experiment the researcher intervenes directly in the situation being investigated. The researcher manipulates an independent variable (IV) in order to investigate whether there is a change in the dependent variable (DV). Any other variables that could have an
Is there any evidence that the polygraph is really able to detect lies? The machine measures changes in blood pressure, breath rate, and respiration rate.