NCJ Number
108449
Journal
Polygraph Volume: 15 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1986) Pages: 264-270
Date Published
1986
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This study compared, in a within-subjects design, the effect on electrodermal responsiveness of the subject's affirming, denying, or making no response to questions about the card selected in a laboratory test of deception.
Abstract
A total of 121 undergraduates (60 males and 61 females) participated in the research, with 43 being assigned to the control group. Following attachment of electrodes to measure skin conductance response (SCR), subjects in the experimental group were asked to select one of six cards, record their choice on a slip of paper, and return it in a sealed envelope to the experimenter. Subjects were informed they would be asked a series of questions about their choice, to which they should respond, 'Yes,' 'No,' or mute. The procedure was the same for the control group, except that they selected either the king, queen, or ace of clubs or spades and were then questioned about the same cards as the experimental group (all numbered cards in the diamond suit). A subject was classified as correctly detected if SCR magnitude to the critical card was greater than SCR magnitude to each of the other cards. Under the 'Yes' condition, just over 20 percent were correctly detected, and under the mute condition, almost 30 percent were detected. Over 40 percent were detected under the 'No' condition. Implications are discussed. 2 tables and 10 references.