What does Polygraph mean?
Definitions for Polygraph
ˈpɒl ɪˌgræf, -ˌgrɑfpo·ly·graph
This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word Polygraph.
Princeton's WordNet
polygraphnoun
a medical instrument that records several physiological processes simultaneously (e.g., pulse rate and blood pressure and respiration and perspiration)
Wiktionary
polygraphnoun
A device which measures and records several physiological variables such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiration and skin conductivity while a series of questions is being asked to a subject, in an attempt to detect lies.
polygraphnoun
An mechanical instrument for multiplying copies of a writing, resembling multiple pantographs.
polygraphnoun
A collection of different works, either by one or several authors.
polygraphverb
To administer a polygraph test.
The FBI polygraphed the suspect but learned nothing because they already knew he was lying.
Wikipedia
Polygraph
A polygraph, often incorrectly referred to as a lie detector test, is a device or procedure that measures and records several physiological indicators such as blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and skin conductivity while a person is asked and answers a series of questions. The belief underpinning the use of the polygraph is that deceptive answers will produce physiological responses that can be differentiated from those associated with non-deceptive answers; however, there are no specific physiological reactions associated with lying, making it difficult to identify factors that separate those who are lying from those who are telling the truth.In some countries, polygraphs are used as an interrogation tool with criminal suspects or candidates for sensitive public or private sector employment. US law enforcement and federal government agencies such as the FBI, DEA, CIA, NSA, and many police departments such as the LAPD and the Virginia State Police use polygraph examinations to interrogate suspects and screen new employees. Within the US federal government, a polygraph examination is also referred to as a psychophysiological detection of deception (PDD) examination. The average cost to administer the test in the United States is more than $700 and is part of a $2 billion industry.Assessments of polygraphy by scientific and government bodies generally suggest that polygraphs are highly inaccurate, may easily be defeated by countermeasures, and are an imperfect or invalid means of assessing truthfulness. A comprehensive 2003 review by the National Academy of Sciences of existing research concluded that there was "little basis for the expectation that a polygraph test could have extremely high accuracy." The American Psychological Association states that "most psychologists agree that there is little evidence that polygraph tests can accurately detect lies."The control question test, also known as the probable lie test, was developed to overcome or mitigate the problems with the relevant-irrelevant testing method. Although the relevant questions in the probable lie test are used to obtain a reaction from people who are lying, the physiological reactions that distinguish lies may also occur in innocent individuals who fear false detection or feel passionately that they did not commit a crime. Therefore, although a physiological reaction may be occurring, the reasoning behind the response may be different. Further examination of the probable lie test has indicated that it is biased against innocent subjects. Those who are unable to think of a lie related to the relevant question will automatically fail the test.
ChatGPT
polygraph
A polygraph is an instrument used to record physiological responses from an individual, such as changes in pulse, blood pressure, and perspiration rates. It is most commonly known as a "lie detector" and is often used in criminal investigations, though its accuracy is controversial. The term can also refer to a process or test during which such equipment is used.
Webster Dictionary
Polygraphnoun
an instrument for multiplying copies of a writing; a manifold writer; a copying machine
Polygraphnoun
in bibliography, a collection of different works, either by one or several authors
Polygraphnoun
an instrument for detecting deceptive statements by a subject, by measuring several physiological states of the subject, such as pulse, heartbeat, and sweating. The instrument records these parameters on a strip of paper while the subject is asked questions designed to elicit emotional responses when the subject tries to deceive the interrogator. Also called lie detector
Etymology: [Gr. writing much; poly`s much, many + to write: cf. F. polygraphe.]
Wikidata
Polygraph
A polygraph measures and records several physiological indices such as blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and skin conductivity while the subject is asked and answers a series of questions. The belief underpinning the use of the polygraph is that deceptive answers will produce physiological responses that can be differentiated from those associated with non-deceptive answers. The polygraph was invented in 1921 by John Augustus Larson, a medical student at the University of California at Berkeley and a police officer of the Berkeley Police Department in Berkeley, California. According to Encyclopædia Britannica, the polygraph was on its 2003 list of greatest inventions, described by the company as inventions that "have had profound effects on human life for better or worse." The efficacy of polygraphs is debated in the scientific community. In 2001, a significant fraction of the scientific community considered polygraphy to be pseudoscience. In 2002, a review by the National Academies of Science found that testing can discriminate lying from truth telling at rates above chance, though below perfection. These results apply only to specific events and not to screening where it is assumed that polygraph would work less well. Effectiveness may also be worsened by counter measures.
Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
Polygraph
pol′i-graf, n. an instrument for multiplying copies of a writing: a collection of different books.—adjs. Polygraph′ic, -al.—n. Polyg′raphy, voluminous writing: art of writing in various ciphers.
Matched Categories
Numerology
Chaldean Numerology
The numerical value of Polygraph in Chaldean Numerology is: 2
Pythagorean Numerology
The numerical value of Polygraph in Pythagorean Numerology is: 1
Examples of Polygraph in a Sentence
What kind of precedent does that set for survivors of violence ? does that mean were presumed guilty and we all have to take a polygraph ? I will take one if Joe Biden takes one.
I’ve never been asked to do a polygraph, there is nothing that I am hiding. I have given three – 30 hours of testimony to the FBI and the CBI. I’ve answered every question. Every single question.
He took a lie detector test. I had him take a polygraph, which he passed, which forever destroyed my faith in polygraphs, oh, he plea bargained. Got him off with time served in the county jail, he’d been in the county jail about two months.
… He fully cooperated with investigators, he did some things that a person who is normally guilty for this type of crime, they would not do. He kept in contact with her family. So no, it does not surprise me that he passed the polygraph. He was a suspect for a number of years, but based on the most recent investigation, we were able to eliminate him as being a suspect.
Popularity rank by frequency of use
References
Translations for Polygraph
From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary
Get even more translations for Polygraph »
Translation
Find a translation for the Polygraph definition in other languages:
Select another language:
- - Select -
- 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
- 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
- Español (Spanish)
- Esperanto (Esperanto)
- 日本語 (Japanese)
- Português (Portuguese)
- Deutsch (German)
- العربية (Arabic)
- Français (French)
- Русский (Russian)
- ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
- 한국어 (Korean)
- עברית (Hebrew)
- Gaeilge (Irish)
- Українська (Ukrainian)
- اردو (Urdu)
- Magyar (Hungarian)
- मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
- Indonesia (Indonesian)
- Italiano (Italian)
- தமிழ் (Tamil)
- Türkçe (Turkish)
- తెలుగు (Telugu)
- ภาษาไทย (Thai)
- Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
- Čeština (Czech)
- Polski (Polish)
- Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
- Românește (Romanian)
- Nederlands (Dutch)
- Ελληνικά (Greek)
- Latinum (Latin)
- Svenska (Swedish)
- Dansk (Danish)
- Suomi (Finnish)
- فارسی (Persian)
- ייִדיש (Yiddish)
- հայերեն (Armenian)
- Norsk (Norwegian)
- English (English)
Word of the Day
Would you like us to send you a FREE new word definition delivered to your inbox daily?
Citation
Use the citation below to add this definition to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"Polygraph." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/Polygraph>.
Discuss these Polygraph definitions with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In