title: The comparison question polygraph test: a contrast of methods and scoring.
abstract: We conducted a mock crime experiment with 250 paid participants (126 females, Mdn age = 30 years) contrasting the validity of the probable-lie and the directed-lie variants of the comparison question test (CQT) for the detection of deception. Subjects were assigned at random to one of eight conditions in a Guilt (Guilty/Innocent) × Test Type (Probable-Lie/Directed-Lie) × Stimulation (Between Repetition Stimulation/No Stimulation) factorial design. The data were scored by an experienced polygraph examiner who was unaware of subject assignment to conditions and with a computer algorithm known as the Objective Scoring System Version 2 (OSS2). There were substantial main effects of guilt in both the OSS2 computer scores F(1, 241) = 143.82, p < .001, η(p)(2) = 0.371, and in the human scoring, F(1, 242) = 98.92, p<.001, η(p)(2) = .29. There were no differences between the test types in the number of spontaneous countermeasure attempts made against them. Although under the controlled conditions of an experiment the probable-lie and the directed-lie variants of the CQT produced equivocal results in terms of detection accuracy, the directed-lie variant has much to recommend it as it is inherently more standardized in its administration and construction.
authors.affiliation: Boise State University, Psychology Department, 1910 University Drive, MS-1715, Boise, ID 83725-1715, USA. Electronic address: chonts@boisestate.edu.
authors.forename: Charles R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Honts
authors.affiliation: Boise State University, Psychology Department, 1910 University Drive, MS-1715, Boise, ID 83725-1715, USA. Electronic address: rreavy@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Racheal
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reavy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003417:Criminal Psychology; D008192:Deception; D005260:Female; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response; D006167:Guilt; D006801:Humans; D008014:Lie Detection / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D011336:Probability; D011603:Psychophysiology
keywords: Comparison question test; Deception detection; Lie detection