guilty knowledge test

a form of lie detection in which knowledge about the details of a crime is tested. A polygraph examiner presents examinees with multiple-choice questions concerning the crime, to which only the guilty party should know the correct answers; it is assumed that innocent examinees will see all options as equally plausible. The polygraph examiner measures the examinees’ physiological arousal as each option is presented and identifies which option produces the highest physiological response. Over a series of questions, if an individual consistently shows the greatest response to the correct option, the examiner may identify that person as untruthful in his or her denial of knowledge of the details of the crime. See also control question test; relevant–irrelevant test.

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Psychology term of the day

November 22nd 2024

behavioral sex therapy

a form of sex therapy that uses behavior therapy methods to bring about changes to behavioral sequences that hinder healthy sexual functioning. Behavioral sequences can include those that are relationship-based (e.g., communication behaviors) or specifically sexually based (e.g., avoidance of sexual stimuli).