Tom Is Interested in Working for an Intelligence Branch of the Government

question 98

Multiple Choice

Tom is interested in working for an intelligence branch of the government, and a polygraph test is part of the interview process. Though Tom intends to be honest, he is worried that the polygraph will say he is lying when he isn't. Tom's friend Cameron assures Tom that polygraph tests are infallible. Is he right?

• A)Yes.Polygraphs pick up certain physiological responses associated with lying, and there's no way to change or hide those responses.
• B)Yes.Though much of the research has not been made public, many government agencies rely on polygraphs, and they would not do so if the tests were fallible.
• C)No.Anxiety may cause false positives and people can be coached to "beat" polygraphs.
• D)No.Polygraph machines are just props and the person watching for cues that the subject is lying, may make errors.
• E)The research on the fallibility of polygraphs is inconclusive.