Glossary / Lexicon

Polygraph refers to a mechanical device used to measure and record people's physiological responses, such as heart rate, blood pressure, circulation respiration, and galvanic skin response. It is a devide used to detect deception in crime suspects. When Polygraph or Polygraph machine is used in "lie detection", the Polygraph Operators attempt to tell if someone is lying by observing how that person responds physiologically while answering questions Polygraph is commonly called a Lie Detector

Description

A polygraph, commonly known as a lie detector, is a device used in psychology to detect deception by measuring physiological responses. This tool is based on the assumption that when individuals lie, they experience stress, leading to changes in physiological functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, and skin conductivity. The polygraph typically consists of sensors attached to the individual's body to monitor these responses while they answer a series of questions.

Application Areas

• Forensic psychology
• Investigative psychology
• Employee screening
• Therapy and counseling
• Criminal investigations

Treatment and Risks

• There are no specific treatments associated with polygraph testing
• Risks may include false positives or negatives, which can impact the accuracy of the results

Examples

• Using a polygraph to determine the credibility of witnesses in a criminal case
• Employers using polygraph tests during the hiring process to screen out potentially dishonest candidates

Similar Concepts and Synonyms

• Lie detector
• Deception detection
• Truth verification device

Articles with 'Polygraph' in the title

• EPPA (Employee Polygraph Protection Act): EPPA (Employee Polygraph Protection Act) : EPPA whic is the acronym of Employee Polygraph Protection Act) prohibits the use of polygraphs for private sector employment screening
• Polygraph Detection Test: Polygraph Detection Test refers to an electronic test intended to determine honesty by measuring an individual"s physiological changes after being asked questions
• Polygraph Test: Polygraph Test refers to an examination which is based on an assumption that there is an interaction between the mind and body and is conducted by various components or the sensors of- a polygraph machine, which are attached to the body of . . .

Summary

A polygraph, or lie detector, is a device used in psychology to detect deception by measuring physiological responses such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, and skin conductivity. Its application areas include forensic psychology, investigative psychology, employee screening, therapy and counseling, and criminal investigations. While there are no specific treatments associated with polygraph testing, risks may include false positives or negatives. Examples of polygraph use include determining witness credibility and employee screening.

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