A recent polygraph test conducted in Orange County, California, raised questions about the effectiveness of these lie detection tests. Many police departments and other organizations still use them, yet their results are typically not admissible in court. So, what does the research indicate?
Research from Harvard University suggests that polygraphs have been around in some capacity since the late 1800s. However, devices that monitor minor changes in human physiological responses gained traction in the 1920s and 1930s. Modern polygraphs track various bodily responses, like breathing rates, blood pressure, and sweat production.
Despite advancements in technology, the underlying science supporting polygraphs remains unconvincing. Experts have increasingly labeled them as a form of pseudoscience.
A notable example comes from Katy Guinella, a star of “Real Housewives of Orange County,” who underwent a polygraph test during the show’s 19th season. After failing the test, she faced backlash from her fellow cast members, though data on polygraph accuracy seems to favor her perspective.
One of the key studies regarding polygraph testing was conducted by Dr. Leonard Sachs between the 1980s and 1990s. His 1983 study highlighted significant limitations in polygraph tests and labeled their error rates as considerable. More current research continues to back Sachs’ findings.
A comprehensive report released by the National Research Council (NRC) in 2003 similarly indicated a range of concerns about polygraph testing. They emphasized various reasons why the tests might not reliably indicate truthfulness:
- The physical reactions measured may not reflect dishonesty; individuals may be nervous or affected by anxiety or medication.
- Test administrators might construct questions to elicit specific responses or have personal biases influencing the outcomes.
- The responses from test-takers could be inadvertently skewed based on their objectives or expectations.
A further consideration involves the pressure individuals may feel to confess during testing, which might create a false atmosphere of truth. This could lead to participants expressing honesty not detected by the machine.
Many researchers argue that polygraph studies haven’t kept pace with advancements in technology, which is unusual in scientific realms. A 2002 NRC investigation prompted by the Department of Energy recommended against using polygraph tests, finding them to be ultimately unreliable.
The NRC concluded that years of scientific research in psychology and physiology provide scant evidence supporting the idea that polygraphs can achieve high accuracy. In the context of “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” even a failed polygraph test has become a pivotal storyline, as Katie Guinella alleged that a fellow cast member was leaking rumors to a blogger.
