The influence of the level of anxiety and stress resistance on the results of polygraph testing

Context and relevance. Studies devoted to the influence of individual-psychological features of the subjects on the results of psychophysiological testing with the use of polygraph demonstrate contradictory results. Objective. To study the influence of the level of anxiety and stress resistance, on the results of psychophysiological test. Hypothesis. High level of anxiety and low stress resistance will increase the probability of false positive results in the process of psychophysiological testing with the use of polygraph. Methods and materials. The sample consisted of 18 MGPPU students (M = 21.5, SD = 4.2, 100% women). The following methods were used in the study: the method of determining stress resistance and social adaptation by T. Holmes and R. Rage, the personality scale of anxiety manifestations by J. Taylor, as well as the psychophysiological method with the use of polygraph: familiarization test and standard one-topic screening with controlled lie questions. Results. The correlation between the level of anxiety and stress resistance, with the results of psychophysiological study was not confirmed by the level of significance. Conclusions. The role of conducting a qualitative pre-test interview to exclude possible false positive results in polygraph testing is emphasized. It is necessary to further study the influence of individual psychological mechanisms on the results of psychophysiological testing with the use of polygraph.

1. Batyrov, T.S. (2022). On the practice of the use of results of polygraph examinations by courts. Expert-Criminalist, 1, 3—6. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.18572/2072-442X-2022-1-3-6
2. Vodopyanova, N.E. (2013). Psychodiagnostics of stress. Saint Petersburg: Piter Publ. (In Russ.).
3. Ermakov, P.N., Vorob'yeva, E.V., Iatsyk, G.G. (2016). Individual Characteristics of Stress Responding During Psycho- Physiological Research Using a Polygraph. Russian Psychological Journal, 13(2), 156—166. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.21702/rpj.2016.2.12
4. Ivanov, R.S. (2014). Individual symptom as a tool for interpreting the results of psychophysiological research using polygraphs. National Psychological Journal, 3(15), 90—97. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.11621/npj.2014.0311
5. Kuptsova, D.M., Dvoryanchikov, N.V. (2023). Evaluation of the Value of Physiological Cues to Determining the Salience of a Risk Factor in a Situation of Screening Polygraph Test. Psychology and Law, 13(2), 82—93. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/psylaw.2023130207
6. Mavlyutova, D.V. (2024). The use of a polygraph in criminal proceedings. Legislative Almanac, 1(32), 35—41. (In Russ.). URL: https://elibrary.ru/nydtfq (viewed: 02.09.2024).
7. Makarevskaya, Yu.E., Familnov, A.O. (2013). The influence of the temperamental personality traits of the subject on the concealment of information during a polygraph survey. Psychology and Law, 3(3), 13—26. (In Russ.). URL: https://psyjournals.ru/journals/psylaw/archive/2013_n3/63795 (viewwed: 02.09.2024).
8. Malkina-Pykh, I.G. (2005). Psychosomatics: Handbook of a practical psychologist. Moscow: Eksmo Publishing House. (In Russ.).
9. Nemov, R.S. (2007). Psychological dictionary. Moscow: VLADOS Humanitarian Publishing Center. (In Russ.).
10. Safuanov, F. S., Nikitin, V. V. (2023). The relationship of temperament with the peculiarities of physiological response in the study using a polygraph. Juridical Psychology, 3, 8—11. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.18572/2071-1204-2023-3-8-11
11. Shamsheyeva, Ya.S., Simonova, A.A., Nurmukhametov, R.N. (2024). On the issue of the problem of using a polygraph in criminal proceedings. International Journal of Humanities and Natural Sciences, 5-3(92), 151—154. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.24412/2500-1000-2024-5-3-151-154
12. American Polygraph Association. (2011). Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on validated techniques. 40(4), 196—305.
13. Barland G.H., Raskin, D.C. (1973). Detection of Deception. In: W.F. Prokasy, D.C. Raskin (Eds.), Electrodermal Activity in Psychological Research (pp. 418—471). New York: Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-565950-5.50014-4
14. Ben-Shakhar, G., Dolev, K. (1996). Psychophysiological detection through the guilty knowledge technique: effects of mental countermeasures. Journal of Applied Psychology, 81(3), 273—281. https://doi.org/1037/0021-9010.81.3.273
15. Bond Jr., C.F., De Paulo, B.M. (2006). Accuracy of deception judgments. Personality and social psychology Review, 10(3), 214—234. https://doi.org/1207/s15327957pspr1003_2
16. Critchley, H.D. (2002). Electrodermal responses: What happens in the brain. Neuroscientist, 8(2), 132—142. https://doi.org/1177/1073858402008002
17. Honts, C.R., Thurber, S., Handler, M. (2021).A comprehensive meta‐analysis of the comparison question polygraph test. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 35(2), 411—427. https://doi.org/1002/acp.3779
18. Kokish, R., Levenson, J.S., Blasingame, G.D. (2005). Post-conviction sex offender polygraph examination: client-reported perceptions of utility and accuracy. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 17, 211—221. https://doi.org/1007/s11194-005-4606-x
19. Matte, J.A. (1996). Forensic Psychophysiology Using the Polygraph: Scientific Truth Verification — Lie Detection. J.A.M. Publications.
20. Meijer, E.H., Verschuere, B. (2010).The polygraph and the detection of deception. Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice, 10(4), 325—338. https://doi.org/1080/15228932.2010.481237
21. Raskin, D.C., Honts, C.R. (2002). Handbook of polygraph testing. In: M. Kleiner (Ed.), Handbook of Polygraph Testing. San Diego: Academic Press.
22. Saldziunas, V., Kovalenko, A. (2015). Selecting the Most Optimal Conditions for the Polygraph Examination. European Polygraph, 9(2), 69—83. https://doi.org/1515/ep-2015-0003
23. Sheldon, K.M., Osin, E.N., Gordeeva, T.O., Suchkov, D.D., Sychev, O.A. (2017). Evaluating the dimensionality of self-determination: Theory’s relative autonomy continuum. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 43(9), 1215—1238. https://doi.org/1177/0146167217711915
24. Suess, W.M., Alexander, A.B., Smith, D.D., Sweeney, H.W., Marion, R.J. (1980). The Effects of Psychological Stress on Respiration: A Preliminary Study of Anxiety and Hyperventilation. Psychophysiology, 17(6), 535—540. https://doi.org/1111/j.1469-8986.1980.tb02293.x
25. Synnott, J., Dietzel, D., Ioannou, M. (2015). A review of the polygraph: History, methodology and current status. Crime Psychology Review, 1(1), 59—83. https://doi.org/1080/23744006.2015.1060080
26. Vrij, A. (2008). Detecting lies and deceit: Pitfalls and opportunities. John Wiley & Sons.
27. Waid, W.M., Orne M.T., Wilson S.K. (1979). Effects of Level of Socialization on Electrodermal Detection of Deception Psychophysiology, 16, 15—22. https://doi.org/1111/j.1469-8986.1979.tb01430.x