RESEARCH ON INTERROGATION PROCEDURES.
Abstract
In a preliminary study, variations on classical conditioning procedures were investigated. Using a previously developed lie detection test, a set of physiological measures was obtained. In conditioning trials, an aversive stimulus (a noise) was sounded by the experimeter (E) after each lie response. A second set of physiological measures was obtained without the use of the aversive stimulus. Three parameters were studied: electrodermal response (EDR), respiration, and electrocardiographic response (ECG); the EDR proved to be the most sensitive indicator of responses accompanying deception. The main study was divided into two parts: Part I consisted of E interpreting the physiological response and making a ''clinical judgement'' as to when the subject was lying; in Part II, a conditioning procedure was used in an attempt to associate the act of lying with an aversive stimulus. In accordance with an established training schedule, the stimulus was withheld during certain trials. Physiological responses observed at such times were designated as conditioned responses. To preclude the possibility that E, knowing the correct answer, might be biased, he was given the correct answer only in UCS trials, where this knowledge was essential for administration of the aversive stimulus. So that S would not become conditioned to a single number rather than to the act of lying, as in the pilot study, a wide variety of tasks was presented in the conditioning procedure. Again, the EDR proved to be the most sensitive indicator; when it was used as the criterion during CS trials, E was able to detect lies with approximately 75percent accuracy. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 25, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0467624
Entities
People
- Robert Violante
- Sheela A. Ross
Organizations
- SRI International