Polygraphs

Polygraphs

Introduction
Homo Sapiens have yearned for a reliable and consistently correct way of finding
out if one is telling the truth since ancient times. “Early societies used torture. Statements
made by a person on the rack were considered especially believable.” (Jussim, pg.65)
There was also trial by ordeal, which was based on superstition. For instance, if there
were two suspects for one crime, it was thought that the innocent would be stronger in
combat and thus vanquish a guilty opponent.
This example shows how it was done long ago. “The ancient Hindus made
suspects chew rice and spit it into a leaf from a sacred tree. If they couldn’t spit, they
were ruled guilty. Although this procedure long predated the modern lie detector, it was
based-knowingly or not- on assumptions about psychological stress much like those that
support polygraph examinations today. The ancient test depended on the fact that fear
makes the mouth dry, so rice would stick in a guilty person’s mouth. For the procedure to
work, the subject had to believe in its accuracy and, if guilty, had to be anxious about
being caught in a lie.” (Ansley, pg. 42)
The modern polygraph is said to measure the subject’s “internal blushes” in much
the same way. It does not really detect lies-only physiological responses. The theory
behind the polygraph is that lying always heightens these responses. When taking the test,
subjects are hooked up to a briefcase-sized machine by means of several attachme...

Polygraphs

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