MovieChat Forums > The Moment of Truth (2008) Discussion > Polygraphs are inaccurate

Polygraphs are inaccurate

posted 16 years ago by mr_polite_
16 replies | jump to latest

Just because the show assumes that a polygraph can never go wrong, that doesn't mean it's so. The polygraph is right about 96% of the time. That means roughly 1 in 20 polygraph results are just plain wrong. Looking at how many questions the contestant has to answer before reaching the prize, it's likely the polygraph will be wrong at some point. It doesn't really matter how truthful the person is. If the polygraph screwed up (which they often do), then the contestant is SOL. So now the world thinks this person is an adulterer when they simply aren't. Oh yeah, and the so-called "adulterer" didn't win any money even though they never once lied during the polygraph test or on the show.

Total scam. I'll say it again, just because the show acts like polygraphs are perfect, they're not! It the same as when CNN makes a big deal about a news story, so everyone makes it out to be a big deal, even if it's really not:

"But hey, CNN says it's a big deal. It must be." ... "But hey, Moment of Truth makes lie detector tests out to be perfect, so they must be!" There's a reason they can't be used as evidence in American courts. This show isn't a test of honesty, because the supposed test results aren't even 100% "honest."

[–] wesje1001 16 years ago

Yeah, this show definetly adds to Fox's crap they have shown on tv, and this show is not a test of honesty, its a lowbrow attempt at ratings.

[–] dean2900 16 years ago

Actually Polygraphs are extremely accurate (over 99.99 percent) Only true sociopaths cna defeat them as long as the person administtering it is good.

The key to the polygraph is is the questioning and manners in which the people ask the questions.

Also, some questions will not come out with black and white results but I suspect Fox will use those to get people off the show or help them win depending on how well they believe the viewing audience would perceive them.

Dean

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] dean2900 16 years ago

Ok then, lets wire the OP to a polygraph and ask him if he has been laid recenrly. HOwever, do we trust the results?

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] dean2900 16 years ago

You guys have to not take Wiki as gospel.

I did not quote a source but I have seen tests that have shown then 99.99% accurate. However, I do work with LE on occasions and have worked in cases in which people have taken the polygraphs.

It is a common stunt for the defense attorney to hand pick someone to to administer a polygraph by someone that shows the person innocent.

Generally the state does not accept the results because it was administered by a person with possible ulterior motives.

Honestly, my personal opinion is that the polygraphs are extremely accurate on non-sociopaths. However, the problem is people make errors and bad wording and/or using intimidation during a polygraph can make the results inaccurate.

Dean

[–] mr_polite_ 16 years ago

Also consider that about 1 in 25 people are "true" sociopaths. So bam, 4% of the polygraphs are out right there.

[–] dean2900 16 years ago

I have never heard the in 25 being true sociopaths. It used always be 1 in 1000 but who knows these days.

I could believe in in 25 that apply to be on Moment of Truth are sociopaths.

Dean

[–] mr_polite_ 16 years ago

I've never heard of the 1,000 figure.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] Agent_f00 16 years ago

Never heard one in a thousand either, but I have heard of 3%. Most of them don't engage in violent crime, and most people who engage in violent crime aren't "crazy".

About polygraphs, I've heard a lot of different things, and I wouldn't rely on them too much. Especially when a question mentions emotions, is a hypothetical, or can be considered embarrassing. So basically all the questions they ask, unless they'll have a special "Are you wearing a blue shirt," episode.

I've also heard that people when properly coached are able to beat polygraphs regularly. Something about "believing the lie", method acting or something else along similar lines.

[–] JupiterStorm 16 years ago

I agree with the OP.

It's all about the power of the mind, too. If somebody truly believes what they're saying is truth, even though it isn't, it wont show on the test.

Example, somebodies asked a question that they really don't want to admit they have done, even though they have. So they process in their mind a technicality, no matter how illogical, and they're able to convince themselves through that technicality what they're saying is the truth. They wont be shown as a liar on the test.

I believe whatever doesn't kill you simply makes you...stranger. -The Joker

[–] Newsgroupie 16 years ago

You're being too generous to the accuracy of polygraph tests. Anyone who believes in their accuracy needs to visit https://antipolygraph.org/ and then tell me that they can be considered as a valid means of determining whether someone is telling the truth or not.

It is impossible to tell with a 100% certainty whether someone is being truthful or not based on a polygraph - period. As long as there is any chance that it can not give an accurate result, it should not be relied upon. If you disagree, how would you like to have your freedom, or even your life be put into the hands of a polygraph examiner and his machine? Not me, no way. There are too many variables.

I believe it's much easier to have it give a false negative result than give a false positive one. Any reaction can be construed as a deceptive response even if it's the question, or idea of what is being asked that causes you to react regardless of what the answer would be.

Bob

Become a Ham Radio Operator!
Visit http://www.arrl.org/
Getting a license is so easy.

[–] SydneyIz 16 years ago

Polygraphs are not reliable, because they are not 100%. If you have someone's livelihood in jeopardy, then it is not accurate enough. Because, there is a degree of error. A big reason why it is not admissible in most courts.

There are also ways to beat the test, while being emotional reactions can vary from person to person as a person who might be sociopath or schizophrenic could easily beat the test or fail it just as well.

It is like if someone were asked if they were married to Queen Victoria and the answer proved that they were telling truth. I am pretty sure it would happen more than once. Also, even the way question is phrase could change the answer from the respondent or polygraph machine.

Margin of error is too much to risk, even being in mid 70s to high 90s.

Also, wikipedia article actually referenced the link below:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2002-09-09-lie_x.htm/

[–] kdy_9 15 years ago

Polygraphs are not used by courts, okay, and so is not truth serum. Sure they are not 100 % correct.
But do you know that army use both of these so as to question P.O.Ws and possible traitors !!!

That's the theme they'r using in the show.

"With great Power. . comes . . . great Responsibility".

[–] Hamsterman11 8 years ago

'how would you like to have your freedom, or even your life be put into the hands of a polygraph examiner and his machine? Not me, no way. There are too many variables. '

Well it's certainly more accurate than a jury deciding someones fate. Almost nothing in life is 100 per cent reliable BTW. 99 per cent is common for many medical treatments.