Choice and the Detection of Deception

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Abstract
Laboratory simulations of polygraph lie detection typically involve random assignment of subjects to conditions of guilt or innocence. The present study allowed subjects to choose between stealing a larger sum of money or receiving a small sum as pay for being in the experiment. Prior to this choice subjects completed personality scales and estimated the effectiveness of the polygraph. Subjects were informed that, if they were found guilty of stealing, they would forfeit whatever money they had. Were they found innocent, they could keep the amount they had. Even though subjects' views of polygraph accuracy were related to their choice of conditions, detection scores were similar to those of studies in which subjects were randomly assigned to their conditions, that is, most guilty subjects were detected and most classification errors were made with innocent subjects. The various estimates of effectiveness made by guilty and innocent subjects were not related to polygraph accuracy in either of these groups.