NCJ Number
109247
Journal
Polygraph Volume: 16 Issue: 1 Dated: (1987) Pages: 1-17
Date Published
1987
Length
17 pages
Annotation
Telephone interviews with a representative national sample of 1,512 adults, conducted February 1 and February 8, 1986, to determine their views toward polygraph testing found significant support for polygraph use in clearly specified and sensitive situations.
Abstract
Each respondent was asked seven questions about polygraph testing and several questions about respondent characteristics. The support for polygraph testing was in circumstances of suspected criminal activity and employment that involve public safety and national security. There was less support for the widespread, seemingly arbitrary use of polygraph testing. Respondents were almost evenly divided on the issue of mandatory periodic testing of government employees. The majority of respondents feels that netiher employees nor job applicants ought to be routinely subjected to polygraph testing. Respondents who were young (18-34 years old), male, and college graduates were less likely to favor polygraph testing than older respondents, females, and those with lower educational attainment. Race and political party affiliation were not generally related to attitudes toward polygraph testing. 6 tables and 12 references.