CJUS 640 Chapter Application 1

.docx

School

Liberty University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

640

Subject

Political Science

Date

Oct 30, 2023

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by KidPolarBear3475 on coursehero.com

1 CHAPTER APPLICATION Chapter Application Assignment Helms School of Government, Liberty University CJUS 640: Psychology & The Legal System September 3, 2023 Authors Note By submitting this assignment, I attest this submission represents my own work, and not that of another student, scholar, or internet source. I understand I am responsible for knowing and correctly utilizing referencing and bibliographical guidelines. Chapter Application Assignment

2 CHAPTER APPLICATION Introduction Lie detection methods, like in the form of a polygraph have been used for decades to determine the integrity of a criminal or a potential employee. Polygraphs involve several techniques designed to decipher a truth from a lie however, these techniques are not full proof. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effectiveness of the polygraph as a lie detection method and to analyze its application on psychology and the legal system. First, this paper will describe the tactics and methods involved in conducting a polygraph. Next, this paper will detail the potential flaws or validity of those tactics and how they may alter the accuracy of the polygraph. Third, this paper will outline the application of psychology and legal systems as they relate to the polygraph as a lie detection tool. Finally, this paper will conclude with a Christian perspective as it relates to the context of the paper. Although polygraphs are used as a legitimate lie detection tool in some professional sectors, its methods and tactics are questionable and should be examined to determine their validity. Methods and Tactics of Polygraphs There are several methods and tactics involved in performing a polygraph. The main technique is called the Comparison Question Technique (CQT) in which broad questions are asked in order to form a baseline for the individual being examined (Costanzo & Krauss, 2020). For example, an examiner will ask the examinee if they have ever lied to someone they care about. When the examinee responds with “no”, the examiner can determine whether the individual was comfortable with lying (Costanzo & Krauss, 2020). The examiner wants the individual to feel uncomfortable to get a more accurate reading on whether they were being truthful (Costanzo & Krauss, 2020).). Whereas if the individual was comfortable with lying, it would be harder for the examiner to decipher between a legitimate lie or a neutral disposition

3 CHAPTER APPLICATION (Costanzo & Krauss, 2020). Individuals who are comfortable with lying may not induce the relative arousal the CQT is meant to measure (Costanzo & Krauss, 2020). Though the CQT is the most popular polygraph method, its accuracy is unfounded and its error rate is unknown (Iancono & Ben-Shakhar, 2019). However, polygraphers argue that the CQT is 90% accurate and this analysis was accepted by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), allowing this technique to be legally admissible (Iancono & Ben-Shakhar, 2019). Critiques believe that the NAS determining factors of scientific legitimacy are misrepresented and have not been reevaluated since its initial acceptance of the CQT (Iancono & Ben-Shakhar, 2019). The CQT focuses on the psychological responses to questions which expand further than the relative arousal someone feels when they lie (Math, 2011). Psychological responses can include anxiety and nervousness because the individual wants to pass the polygraph to get a job or be exonerated of a crime (Math, 2011). The CQT cannot decipher between the psychological responses like anxiety or lying and therefore, cannot be completely effective (Math, 2011). Other methods of the polygraph focus on the questions and the number of questions that are being asked. The Positive Comparison Test (PCT) or Concealed Information Test (CIT) asks the individual the same question or similar questions multiple times (Peth et al., 2016). These tests begin with a generic question in which the examiner will continuously add details or change details of the question to invoke a different response (Peth et al., 2016). The CIT is measured by examining how the individual reacts as the questions become more detailed. The validity of these tests is largely estimated as countermeasures taken during a CIT can greatly alter the results of the polygraph (Peth et al., 2016). CIT examinees may purposefully use countermeasures to invoke a false reading due to high levels of excitements or alterations to their psychological reactions (Peth et al., 2016). These countermeasures include physical techniques like tongue

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version