Question 1

Which of the following best describes the underlying principle of the polygraph technique?

Accepted Answer

It relies on the assumption that deception is associated with physiological changes.

Question 2

In the context of the Comparison Question Test (CQT), what is the main purpose of comparison questions?

Accepted Answer

To serve as a baseline for physiological responses unrelated to the crime.

Question 3

Which of the following is a limitation of laboratory studies on polygraph accuracy?

Accepted Answer

Laboratory studies cannot control for motivational and emotional differences between real and mock crimes.

Question 4

According to research, which group is more likely to overestimate the accuracy of the CQT in detecting guilty persons?

Accepted Answer

The general public

Question 5

Which of the following is a key advantage of using mock crime studies in polygraph research?

Accepted Answer

They allow researchers to know ground truth (who is guilty or innocent).

Question 6

What did the Supreme Court of Canada rule regarding the admissibility of polygraph evidence?

Accepted Answer

Polygraph evidence should not be admitted to help determine the truthfulness of testimony.

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the Concealed Information Test (CIT)?

Accepted Answer

It assesses whether suspects recognize crime-relevant information.

Question 8

Which of the following is a common criticism of the CQT?

Accepted Answer

It may misclassify innocent people as guilty due to their responses to comparison questions.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a typical reason for malingering?

Accepted Answer

To improve cognitive performance

Question 10

According to Rogers (1990), which of the following is NOT one of the three explanatory models of malingering?

Accepted Answer

Psychodynamic

Question 11

Which of the following is a key indicator of malingered psychosis?

Accepted Answer

Malingerers often report rare or atypical symptoms not usually seen in genuine patients.

Question 12

Which of the following statements about the accuracy of detecting deception is supported by research?

Accepted Answer

Both professionals and students have accuracy rates just barely above chance.

Question 13

Which of the following is a verbal cue more likely to be associated with truth-tellers than liars?

Accepted Answer

Correcting their stories spontaneously

Question 14

What is the main rationale for using the CIT instead of the CQT?

Accepted Answer

The CIT reduces the risk of misclassifying innocent people as guilty.

Question 15

Which of the following is a finding from studies on verbal and non-verbal cues to lying?

Accepted Answer

Participants who focused on the message source's tone of voice were more successful at detecting deception.

Question 16

Which of the following is a limitation of field studies on polygraph accuracy?

Accepted Answer

Ground truth (who is actually guilty or innocent) is often not independently established.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the 'pathogenic' model of malingering?

Accepted Answer

Malingering occurs because of an underlying mental disorder.

Question 18

Which of the following is a common feature of malingered visual hallucinations?

Accepted Answer

Malingerers often report that hallucinated people remain the same if eyes are open or closed.

Question 19

Which of the following is a recommended method for studying malingering?

Accepted Answer

Using simulation designs where volunteers are instructed to feign symptoms.

Forensic Psychology: Polygraph Techniques, Deception Detection, and Malingering

Study Guide - Practice Questions