NCJ Number
191922
Journal
Polygraph Volume: 30 Issue: 3 Dated: 2001 Pages: 185-191
Date Published
2001
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article reviews the literature on electrodermal activity.
Abstract
A wealth of research has been published on electrodermal activity. Researchers have demonstrated a correlation between brain activity, alertness, personality disorders, and electrodermal activity. Persons with depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, antisocial personality disorder, borderline, or psychopathy will usually have reduced electrodermal levels and responses. Recording electrodermal activity is dependent on a functioning autonomic nervous system and sufficient arousal in the normal brain produced by a stimulus. Recent studies have demonstrated reduced brain activity in areas including the limbic system in persons that are ADHD, antisocial, borderline, or psychopathic. Because these people are under-aroused, they stimulate themselves by engaging in activities that are dangerous, on the edge, or may cause them or others physical harm. Many of these personalities are likely to become criminals and be tested by polygraph. Hare (1993) estimated that about 20 percent of male and female prison inmates are psychopaths. Polygraph examiners will see their share of individuals that have psychological issues. These individuals will most likely demonstrate reduced skin conductance response. This reduced response is central in origin, i.e., from the brain. No amount of skin conditioning will change the reduced response that is central in origin. These individuals must be psychologically or physiologically aroused at the time of testing. The question is how to arouse the psychopathic or antisocial individual sufficiently to show more normal amplitudes of response to the questions posed during the examination. Males, according to most studies, will have a greater response than females and most will show an increased response in the left hand. By using the hand with the stronger response, the examiner interpreting the charts may find the charts easier to read and possibly improve the accuracy in evaluations. Other techniques that may increase arousal causing a more robust response include: smoking, physical exertion, scents, and music. References