Effects of realistic stress and procedural interference in experimental lie detection

Abstract

2 different samples of police trainees were used to investigate: (1) the effect of realistic stress in experimental lie detection, and (2) the possible interference with the GSR channel resulting from the simultaneous recording of blood pressure. It was found that: (1) GSR detection results under stress were essentially similar to those obtained in mild experimental situations, and far superior in detection efficiency to analysis of heart rate changes. (2) The introduction of a blood-pressure cuff inflated to 80 mm. of mercury for the 90 sec. of interrogation (similar to actual field measurement conditions) reduced the efficiency of detection of the GSR channel. (3) There is some suggestion that GSR reactivity may be related to ethnic origin. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)