Guilty? The Truth Behind the Polygraph Test

Do you think that the creators of the show may ignore facts like this just to make it a better television program? To me it has always seemed like the hosts are always egging on the participants so that the crowd will see a better show. While paternity tests are always reliable I wonder what alternatives they would be able to use besides the polygraph

I have never been a fan of the lie detector test because of the things that it does measure. I think that a lot of people are not able to stay very calm and neutral during a test so therefore its pretty obvious that the lie detector test is just something to use against people. I usually sweat under pressure, not because I feel guilty but because I am nervous! I am also a huge fan of the Maury Show but it I think whatever goes on in that show is simply just for TV.

Like you stated, lie detector tests measure things like blood pressure, breathing rate, and even sweat. This is a very very unreliable way of determining whether someone is guilty or not. I mean, if I were innocent but had to be taken in and tested with a lie detector test, I would be sweating like a pig and as jittery as a person who just drank 7 cups of coffee; I tend to get more nervous when put on the spot. Shows like these will do anything to get more views, even if that means relaying potentially false information to viewers and guests on the show.

The lie detector test does not seem to be reliable based on what it measures. A typical person would become stressed when being interrogated and this would obviously increase blood pressure and possibly cause someone to sweat. In reality, the lie detector test isn’t measuring whether someone is lying. It is measuring the “symptoms” of lying, which may come about just due to the thought of being questioned. Obviously the reliability of lie detector tests isn’t well known by most people otherwise another method would have been thought up. It is interesting that polygraph tests are used in criminal cases and for other important matters, but are not exactly the most reliable tool.

I agree that there is no certainty to whether the lie detector test is reliable or not. You stated that the test measures blood pressure, breathing sweat, etc. I find it hard to believe that because of those things you can tell if someone is lying or not. I am sure there are people who can outsmart those things as well which makes it even less reliable. A quick comment on the Maury show, I think it has to be staged!(Just like every show on TV these days)

Great post. I really don't think that polygraph tests are reliable either, and I don't think that there is a good way to detect if a person is lying or not. I think is is super common for a person to become anxious when taking a lie detector test even though they may be innocent. The fact that an innocent person can become anxious makes it possible for that person to be screened as guilty. I secretly love the Maury Show because it is entertaining. However, I do think they amp up the show through using these lie detector tests that create false positives.

That's really interesting. I always wondered the same thing too! After reading about that, it does seem very unfair. Measuring the physiological signals would not be a fair way to test someone. These test are never accurate because some people could control their body to an extent where the lie detector test is wrong.

I'm really happy that someone else though of this show after reading the polygraph section. It was literally the first thing that came to my mind. I think you made a very valid point since it is completely logical that the person taking the polygraph would yield a false-positive. Think about it. You are being asked a question and the answer you give could cause you to be ridiculed and hated on public television. There's no way your not going to give a little spike just do to raw nervousness.

I as well found it interesting that the polygraph test wasn't as accurate as modern T.V. makes it out to be. Your example made me think of the movie, Meet the Parents, where the actor went through a similar thing which resulted in him giving the dad many false positives.

This is a very thoughtful post. I definitely agree that the polygraph can yield many false positives. I think that people will be nervous when taking a polygraph test whether or not they are actually lying. This can lead to increase in blood pressure, faster breathing rate, and increased perspiration. To say that these characteristics mean a person is withholding the truth would be to say they are also lying about something during a period of vigorous exercise, where these same characteristics are present. These characteristics simply are not reliable and rare enough to be used for a polygraph test.