In this article they talked about the polygraph test, the guilty knowledge test, brain scans, and integrity tests. Before reading about lie detection I used to think that the polygraph was perfect at detecting whether or not someone is lying. Now I don't really believe in its validity. I agree with how they call it the 'arousal detector' instead of the lie detector. It is more of an arousal detector because it mainly detects the fear of being convicted of a crime that someone may or may not have committed. Some other flaws with the polygraph test is that some people can 'beat' it, have a psychopathic personality with low levels of fear and guilt, or even fail the test because of how nervous or anxious they are. The only good thing about the test is that it usually brings an actual confession once the test is over. Although the polygraph test is not 100% accurate I think that it's one of the best instruments used to detect lies as of now. I think that in the future lie detection will be much better but I don't think that there is something that happens in your brain when you actually tell a lie.
Lie Detection
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Lie detectors have always been really popular in movies and TV shows which, I think, can lead many people to believe in their accuracy. But, I always wondered how they worked and how I would feel if I were attached to a detector. I completely agree with you. Some people, like me I suppose, tend to get really emotionally worked up in stressful situations like that while others couldn't care less.
I think just being tested like that would make me feel guilty because I wouldn't be considered trustworthy enough to tell the truth in the first place.
I agree that the polygraph test is a good test to give. It is not 100% perfect, but it might be a good way to start to get the truth. Also, the person that receives the test probably doesn't know that it isn't perfect, therefore making them tell the truth. Not sure if any lie detection test will ever be full proof.
I think that the polygraph is a good thing to use, but will caution. Due to the many flaws that the polygraph has there has to be a significant amount of other evidence also in order to convict someone of a crime. There has been a lot of examples where people have been sent to jail because of the polygraph even when they were innocent.
Before reading about lie detector tests, I used to think they were exactly like in movies and TV shows. This caused me to wonder why they aren't used as often, and why some are opposed to them. But after this I understand what makes people question the tests and why some choose not to trust them.
I agree with your comments and also found it interesting like Sarah said about how the book says many people are found guilty when they actually are innocent and are telling the truth! I don't understand why law enforcement still chooses to use these machines when they are not found to be 100 percent accurate. I feel that many people slip up or fail the test simply because they are afraid of falling into exactly what the police are expecting them to be guilty of, so their heart race increases due to nerves, etc..
It is interesting, I actually read somewhere that lie detectors are good at false positives, that is, it says you are lying when you are telling the truth. I know if I were ever arrested for something and I was innocent, I would never take one!