Final answer:
The polygraph test measures physiological arousal rather than detecting lies, and its accuracy as a tool for determining honesty is highly questionable due to the inability to associate specific physiological patterns with lying.
Step-by-step explanation:
The polygraph does not detect lies directly; instead, it measures physiological arousal. There's a prevailing assumption that when someone is dishonest, they may show physiological signs like increased heart rate, faster respiration rate, and higher levels of sweating. However, these physiological responses are not necessarily indicative of deception. The field of psychology has debated the validity and accuracy of the polygraph test due to the lack of clear evidence connecting specific physiological patterns to lying.
According to research by Saxe and Ben-Shakhar, polygraph tests are controversial tools in determining truthfulness, and their legal admissibility varies due to the absence of a definitive physiological response attributed to lying. Additionally, research by Fung et al. suggests that individuals prone to psychopathy may exhibit reduced physiological responses, further challenging the accuracy of polygraph tests in criminal assessments.