Answer :
Final answer:
The polygraph measures physiological responses like heart rate and sweating, not brain wave activity. Its reliability is questionable, especially the Control Question Technique, which is more prone to false positives. Claims of accuracy, such as 99.9%, are often exaggerated or misleading.
Explanation:
Understanding the Polygraph and Its Accuracy
The polygraph, commonly known as a "lie detector," does not measure brain wave activity but rather records various physiological responses such as heart rate, respiration rate, and skin conductivity. These responses are indicators of a person's psychological stress, which can theoretically be associated with lying. However, the polygraph has faced significant scrutiny regarding its accuracy and reliability.
Looking at the options presented:
- (A) The polygraph does not measure brain wave activity.
- (B) The RIT (Relevant/Irrelevant Technique) is one method used, but the more common and widely known technique is called the Control Question Technique (CQT).
- (C) The CQT technique is indeed more prone to false-positive errors than false-negatives because physiological responses can be triggered by anxiety, regardless of whether a person is lying or telling the truth.
- (D) The claim that polygraphs have been proven to be 99.9% accurate is misleading; the accuracy of the tests can vary widely, and many studies suggest that their reliability is far less than advertised.
In summary, while polygraphs measure physical responses to psychological stress, their effectiveness as a reliable tool for determining truthfulness is widely debated and criticized.
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