Tom is interested in working for an intelligence branch of the government, and a polygraph test is part of the interview process.Though Tom intends to be honest, he is worried that the polygraph will say he is lying when he isn't.Tom's friend Cameron assures Tom that polygraph tests are infallible.Is Cameron right?
A)Yes; polygraphs pick up certain physiological responses associated with lying, and very few people can hide those responses.
B)Yes; though much of the research has not been made public, many government agencies rely on polygraphs, and they would not do so if the tests were fallible.
C)No; heart rate and breathing can increase for reasons other than lying and this effect can make it difficult to interpret the physiological indicators of arousal.
D)No; polygraph machines are just props and the person watching for cues that the subject is lying may make errors.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Though polygraphs do measure physiological responses associated with lying, such as increased heart rate and sweating, these responses can also be caused by other factors, such as stress or anxiety, which may result in false positives or false negatives. Therefore, the accuracy of polygraph tests is still debated in the scientific community.

Tom Is Interested in Working for an Intelligence Branch of the Government