NCJ Number
209868
Journal
Polygraph Volume: 34 Issue: 1 Dated: 2005 Pages: 24-46
Date Published
2005
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This study explored the influence of deception and stimulus congruity on brain event-related potentials.
Abstract
Researchers have studied the neurocognitive processes associated with deception through the use of event-related potentials (ERPs) and conflicting theories of the processes underlying deception have been developed. The current study used a two-stimulus paradigm combining congruity, workload, and attention switching to evaluate all relevant waveforms involved with ERPs. Participants were 42 undergraduate students who viewed questions and were randomly prompted to respond with varying levels of deception and congruity. Principle components analysis and electrical current dipole source analysis were used to analyze the resulting ERPs. Results indicated that four waveforms were affected: an early positive component in the cingulate gyrus, a centro-parietal positivity with multiple cortical courses, a negativity in the inferior frontal gyrus, and a positive complex in regions of the temporal gyrus and anterior cingulate. The authors discuss the findings and present a preliminary theory of deception that postulates early attentional processes are followed by evaluative and decisionmaking processes before a final reanalysis takes place. The findings thus suggest that more than one waveform should be evaluated and that waveforms underlying neuronal courses should be investigated. Tables, figures, references