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FergusArgyll 3 hours ago

I don't get it, I thought it's settled science that polygraphs don't work. Why are these agencies still using them?

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sonofhans 3 hours ago | parent | next [-]

They do work. Their purpose is intimidation. They’re not truth machines, they’re pressure cookers.

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the_gipsy 3 minutes ago | parent | next [-]

They have only filter out the morons, though.

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influx an hour ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Exactly, the whole point is to put someone into an interrogation scenario for hours or days, where you control whether nor not they "passed". Unfortunately, it probably has zero effect on psychopaths.

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apical_dendrite an hour ago | parent | prev [-]

There's an old interview on C-SPAN's BookTV with a CIA polygrapher. He seems to genuinely believe in the validity of the polygraph, but watching the interview, I was convinced that the only value comes from intimidation and stress.

(all-caps bad transcription)

> THE ESSENCE OF A POLYGRAPH TEST IS IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO LOSE BY FAILING A POLYGRAPH TEST IF YOU WILL, OR SOMETHING TO GAIN BY PASSING IT, THAT IS WHAT MAKES THE POLYGRAPH EFFECTIVE. WITHOUT THE FEAR OF DETECTION IT IN A SIMPLE WAY AS I CAN PUT IT THAT IS WHAT MAKES IT WORK. YOU HAVE TO BE AFRAID. IF YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BY TAKING THE POLYGRAPH TEST THAN THE PRESSURE IS NOT ON YOU. BUT AS I SAID THAT IS WHAT MAKES YOU WORK. IT HAS TO BE PROTECTION MORE THAN GILTS. NOW YOU MAY FEEL GUILTY, BUT FEAR OF DETECTION IS THE OVERRIDING CONCERN IN IN A POLYGRAPH TEST

https://www.c-span.org/program/book-tv/gatekeeper/180053

	▲	Stevvo an hour ago \| parent [-]
		It sounds like religion; it only works if people believe in it.

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constantcrying 3 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

>I thought it's settled science that polygraphs don't work

Of course they do. And if you read the article in the OP you also realize why.

Polygraphs are an interrogation tactic, you can force a subject into a somewhat ridiculous procedure and ask them threatening questions, creating an disorientating situation. Afterwards you can accuse them of having "proven" that they are a liar. Polygraphs work, it just does not matter whether the machine is on or off.