In 1982, the Gallup polling organization conducted a survey of the members of the Society for Psychophysiological Research (SPR). Those members were nearly all Ph.D.s or M.D.s who were involved in studying how our minds and bodies work together. The most striking and important outcome of the survey was that a substantial majority of SPR members who considered themselves to be informed about polygraph testing felt that it was a reliable method of determining whether someone was, or was not, telling the truth. `
In 1994, a group of research scientists conducted another survey of the members of SPR, very similar to the 1982 Gallup survey. And their results were much the same: 83% of the scientists who had read some of the research literature about polygraph accuracy believed that it was a valid and useful method of determining the truth.
The most recent demonstration of scientific support for polygraphy comes from a source that might surprise you. In the early part of this decade, many government scientists were upset about the possibility that they might someday have to submit to a polygraph test. They asked the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to put together a panel of scientists who would review the polygraph research literature and issue a report about their findings. The panel was comprised of some very prestigious scientists, from a variety of different fields. They carefully reviewed some of the research regarding the validity and reliability of polygraph tests. After reading and evaluating the studies, they concluded that laboratory research demonstrated an average accuracy rate of 86% for single-issue polygraph tests, while the field research accuracy rate was 89%. Pretty high numbers, especially from a group of hard-nosed scientists who probably approached their search with more than a little skepticism.
Informed scientists, as well as anyone else who knows what he’s talking about, will tell you that polygraph testing, when done properly, is a valid and reliable method of determining whether someone is lying or telling the truth.
Dr. Rovner is a polygraph examiner with a private practice in Los Angeles, California.
Tags: lie detector, polygraph, polygraph test, scientific community, scientific research, scientists
