VOLUME 27 1998 NUMBER 4 Contents a Critical Analysis Of
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VOLUME 27 1998 NUMBER 4 Contents A Critical Analysis of Matte's Analysis of the Directed Lie 241 Charles R. Honts & Anne Gordon Situational Sequencing Test 253 Ryszard Jaworski Differences in Electrodermal Response Patterns for Males and Females 271 Yaacov Friedlander, Eran Gazit, & Efrat Eliahu The Irrelevant Question: A Descriptive Review 276 Norman Ansley the Utility of Polygraph Exams in Unknown Paternity T ANF Cases 284 Michael T. Hanna & Deborah Welter Reprint The Effects of Prior Expectations and Outcome Knowledge on Polygraph 288 Examiners' Decisions Eitan Elaad, Avital Ginton & Gershon Ben-Shakhar Book Reviews 302 Instruction to Authors 306 Published Quarterly © American PolygrapH Association, 1998 P.O. Box 8037, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37414-0037 A Critical Analysis A Critical Analysis of Matte's Analysis of the Directed Lie Charles R. Honts and Anne Gordon Abstract Matte (1998) reported that the directed-lie control (OLC) question test lacks empirical validation and fails to achieve an adequate level of construct validity. In the present article, it is argued that Matte's presentation was selective and biased. A thorough examination of the empirical literature reveals that there is ample evidence in support of the criterion validity of the OLC. Moreover, a critical examination of Matte's discussion of construct validity finds that his concerns relate more to the face validity than the construct validity of the OLC. Yet, even in that analysis many of Matte's assertions are shown by research to be untenable. Therefore, it is concluded that the OLC question test is a valid test for the psychophysiological detection of deception, and because of its many advantages in standardization should be considered for application in field settings. Matte (1998) provided "an analysis of logical basis. The main goal of the present the psychodynamics of the directed lie control analysis is to correct the misinformation in question" (p. 56). His review included a Matte (1998) by: (1) providing an accurate number of speculations concerning subjects' description of the modern use of the 0 LC perceptions of the directed lie control (OLC) question test, (2) providing a comprehensive question test but included no new data. review of the published studies on the OLC Among Matte's conclusions were the following: question test and (3) by considering construct validity issues relevant to the OLC question 1. The OLC question test lacks construct test. validity because it fails to demonstrate an adequate capacity to function as a The DLC Question Test control question of less intensity than the relevant question for the guilty A Brief History examinee. The OLC question test was developed 2. The OLC question test lacks criterion within the military intelligence system of the validity (accuracy). United States Government for use in multiple test counter-espionage situations. Fuse (1982) 3. There is an insufficient body of data to provided the first non-classified document support the use of the OLC question test describing the use of the OLC question test. in application. His paper described how the 0 LC question test was then being used by military intelligence. The purpose of this paper is to Fuse noted that a general concern in testing in demonstrate that none of Matte's conclusions such situations was that adequate probable lie are supported in the scientific literature. comparison questions could not be developed. Matte appears to have done a major disservice Moreover, the repeated use of the same to the polygraph profession by presenting an probable-lie questions was likely to result in inaccurate description of the modern use of their habituation (i.e., decreasing responses the OLC question test. His analysis was based over presentations) and decreased effective on a selective review of the empirical literature ness. Therefore, a directed-lie question, one to and was accompanied by a speculative which subjects were instructed to lie, was analysis that has neither a scientific nor developed to provide a type of comparison Both authors are with Boise State University. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to: Charles R. Honts, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, Boise State University, 1910 University Drive, Boise, Idaho 83725, USA. Email to [email protected]. Polygraph, (1998), 27(4). 241 Honts & Gordon question that could be used repeatedly with The group of researchers in Oavid the same subject without the encountering Raskin's laboratory at the University of Utah the aforementioned problems. The psycho became interested in the OLC in the early logical set of the directed-lie question was 1980s, following Fuse's (1982) presentation created in the context of an unknown number and in light of the experiences reported by a test. Subjects were told that anytime a person local polygraph examiner, Larry Kelly. Kelly lies, physiological responses are produced and was conducting tests in a probation and parole that those responses can be recorded with the setting and was facing many of the same polygraph. (In the original formulation, the pro blems with multiple tests that military successful detection of deception in the intelligence had encountered. He began using number test was required before the exam the OLC questions and reported good success ination proceeded) Following review of the with it. One of us (Honts) began using the relevant questions of the examination (up to 8 OLC in his private practice in January of 1984 in the original formulation), the OLC was when a defense-referred subject told Honts presented in the following manner: that he had been reading about polygraph tests and that he would not be able answer the The examinee is told that the purpose of control questions with a "No." Therefore, the OLCs is to assure that his reaction instead of using probable lie control questions, capability has not significantly changed Honts used OLC questions. The subject failed from that exhibited during the ACQ the test and subsequently confessed to the [number test]. The importance of the crime of which he was accused. In a OLCs is emphasized by stating that they subsequent discussion with Oavid Raskin we are used to assure that examinee still agreed that Fuse's original formulation of the responses normally when attempting OLC question test was too complex and time deception and when answering truth consuming. Moreover, we agreed that the fully, thus the examiner avoids errors in procedure could be even more standardized the final interpretation of the charts. than the Fuse approach allowed for. Stress that the OLCs are deliberate lies, known to both examinee and the exam- The revisions we made to the OLC iner, and, as long as the examinee is question test at the University of Utah have responding normally, deceptive resp been described elsewhere (Honts & Raskin, onses will appear on the test charts. 1988; Honts, Kircher, & Raskin, 1995, (Fuse, 1982, pp. 20-21) Horowitz, Kircher, Honts & Raskin, 1997; Raskin, Honts, & Kircher, 1997; Raskin, In the original formulation the exact 1989). In short, we made the following four question list, including question order, was refinements: The pretest interview was short revealed to the subject, and the subject was ened by reducing the amount of time spent on told that there would be three repetitions of describing physiology. A known number test the questions. After the first chart the was conducted. All questions were reviewed examiner reviewed the relative responses to with subjects, but the order was not revealed the questions. Then Fuse (1982) advised the and was varied on each repetition. Finally, following: both relevant and OLC questions were reviewed between each chart (as was standard If it appears that the OLCs are not gen practice at the University of Utah for probable erating at least some response activity, lie control question tests; see Honts, 1999). regardless of the response activity to the The Utah induction procedure was described relevants mild interchart reinforcement by Raskin as follows: may be utilized. For example, examinee may be told the test chart "looks good" On this test I need to ask you some and that when he lies, the responses are questions to which I want you to lie. clear, and it is obvious that he has Just as on the number test. I need to indeed engaged in the activities covered have questions to which you and I both by the OLCs. (p. 25) know you are lying. That way, I can be sure that you continue to respond appropriately when you are lying and Polygraph, (1998). 27(4). 242 A Critical Analysis that you remain a suitable subject the probable-lie comparison question tests throughout this test. Therefore, I am (Driscoll, Honts, & Jones, 1987). Driscoll et going to ask you. "Before age 25, did you al. described the positive control test as fol ever tell even one lie?" and I want you to lows. lie to that question. Also, I want you to think of a particular instance when you The positive control test essentially asks did lie in the past, and I want you to only relevant questions, but asks each have that in mind when you answer this question twice with different instructions question on the test. Do you have a regarding the answer. The first time the particular instance in mind? . All right, question is asked the subject is in I do not want you to tell me what it is. structed to admit the acts in question; When I ask you that question on the this is referred to as the subjective lie test, I want you to lie by answering no, question. The second time each question and when you answer, I want you to is asked the subject is instructed to deny think about the time when you lied.