Tom is interested in working for an intelligence branch of the government. 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 is not. 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 there is no way to change or hide those responses.
B) Yes; many government agencies rely on polygraphs, and they would not do so if the tests were fallible.
C) No; anxiety may cause false positives and people can be coached to "beat" polygraphs.
D) No; polygraph machines are just props that allow the examiner to watch for cues that the subject is lying, and the examiner may make errors due to bias.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Polygraphs are not infallible and can produce false positives due to anxiety or nervousness. Additionally, there are methods to "beat" the test or to hide physiological responses associated with lying. The use of polygraphs by government agencies does not necessarily indicate their infallibility, as the reliability of polygraphs is often debated.

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