Effect of Electrodermal Lability and Anxiety on the Electrodermal Detection of Deception with a Control Question Technique

Abstract

Abstract : This exploratory study was designed to examine the effects of individual differences in electrodermal lability and state-trait anxiety on the detection of deception. Eighty-two males participated in this study. Half were assigned to the programmed innocent group and half were assigned to the programmed guilty group. Data were analyzed from the 75 subjects who completed the study. At the beginning of the study each subject completed forms Y1 and Y2 of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) which measures situational (state) and inherent (trait) anxiety. Upon completion of the inventory, subjects underwent a session in which nonspecific, spontaneous SCR were recorded for 5 minutes. This was followed by repeated presentation of a 5-second, 70 dB, 1000 Hz tone until habituation occurred. Immediately following the habituation trials a Control Question Test, Psychophysiological Detection of Deception examination was conducted. The tests were scored by two examiners, blind to the group assignment of the subjects. The proportion of the subject sample accurately detected using SCR amplitudes was not significantly above chance. The detection level of the blind scorers was not significantly above chance, however, the interrater reliability (measured by a multiple rater kappa test) was significantly above chance. No significant relationships were found among electrodermal lability and state or trait anxiety and the detection of deception.