Name: Nino B.

Dagatan Score:
Instructor: Ret. PLt Andres Garcia Date : February05, 2024
Activity 1
DEFINITION OF TERMS
1. Polygraph: The word “polygraph” is derived from two components: “poly,” meaning “many,” and
“graph,” meaning “writing.” Literally, it translates to “many writings.” A polygraph measures
physiological responses (such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration) to assess truthfulness or
deception
2. Detection: The act of discovering the existence or presence of something hidden or obscured. In the
context of polygraphy, it refers to identifying deceptive behavior .
3. Lying: Commonly used in polygraph studies, lying involves creating a false or misleading impression
with the intention of wrongfully affecting the actions, opinions, or emotions of another person
4. Autonomic Nervous System: The physiological effectors monitored during a polygraph
examination. These include changes in heart rate, skin conductance (GSR), and respiration .
5. Fear: An emotional response to specific danger that appears beyond a person’s defensive power. It is
an unpleasant emotion caused by awareness of danger
6. Stimulus: A force or emotion that reaches the organism and excites the individual. In polygraphy, it
refers to the external influence that arouses the deceptor
7. Reaction: A behavior or mental attitude evoked by external influences. It reveals a person’s feelings or
attitudes and may occur in opposition to a situation
8. Response: Any activity or change in an organism resulting from stimulation. In polygraph
examinations, it refers to deviations from the normal tracing of a subject
9. Specific Response: Any deviation from the normal tracing observed during a polygraph examination
10. Ordeal by Blessed Bread: An ancient method involving the accused consuming blessed bread to
determine guilt or innocence .
11. Red Hot Iron Ordeal: The accused carries a red-hot iron in their hands while walking a specified
distance. If no burns appear, they are declared innocent; otherwise, they face punishment
12. Wager of Battle Ordeal: A medieval practice where combat determined guilt or innocence. The
defeated party could live if they retracted their sworn perjury.
13. Accuracy: The ability of a polygraph to produce correct results. Polygraph accuracy varies by
technique and the number of relevant questions asked .
14. Acquaintance Test: A short polygraph exam used to determine the suitability and response
capability of an examinee. It is not scored
15. Activity Sensor (Motion Sensor): Monitors body movements to differentiate between reactions
caused by physical issues and those caused by psychophysiological issues
16. Air Force Modified Question Test (AFMGQT): One of the APA validated testing methods .
17. American Polygraph Association (APA): The world’s largest professional association of
polygraph examiners, which establishes industry standards and supports research
18. Analog Polygraph: Instruments used before digital versions became standard. They transmitted
data onto long paper strips using multiple “pens”
19. Artifact: Observable changes in a person’s polygraph reactions not caused by psychophysiological
issues (e.g., body movements, coughs, sneezes)
20. Base Rate: The known probability that an individual within a group or population has engaged in
a particular behavior
21. Bodybuilding Tournament Exam: Determines whether a competitive bodybuilder has used any
banned substances, drugs, or supplements
22. Breakout Exam: A follow-up specific issue test administered after a multiple issue test to clarify or
resolve results
23. Chart: The graphical representation of physiological responses recorded during a polygraph
examination
24. Control Question: A question unrelated to the specific issue being tested, used as a baseline for
comparison .
25. Countermeasure: Deliberate actions taken by an examinee to manipulate polygraph results .
26. Deception: Concealing or distorting the truth intentionally
27. Electrodermal Activity (EDA): Measurement of skin conductance (GSR) as part of polygraph
testing
28. False Positive: Incorrectly indicating deception when the examinee is truthful
29. Galvanic Skin Response (GSR): A physiological response related to skin conductance
30. Inconclusive Result: A polygraph outcome that does not clearly indicate truthfulness or
deception
31. Interrogation: The process of questioning an individual to obtain information or assess their
truthfulness
32. Irrelevant Question: A neutral question used in polygraph testing .
33. Lie Detector: Another term for a polygraph instrument
34. Multiple Issue Test: A polygraph examination involving several relevant questions
35. Nervous System: The physiological system monitored during polygraph testing
36. Observer: The polygraph examiner who interprets the results
37. Question Sequence: The order in which questions are presented during a polygraph examination
38. Relevant Question: A question directly related to the issue being investigated
39. Scoring: Evaluating and interpreting polygraph results
40. Detector: Another term for a polygraph instrument. It detects and records physiological reactions.
41. Inconclusive Result: A polygraph outcome that does not clearly indicate truthfulness or
deception. It may require further examination or clarification.
42. Observer: The polygraph examiner who interprets the results. Their expertise is crucial in assessing
truthfulness.
43. Specific Issue Test: A polygraph examination focusing on a single relevant question or issue. It
provides targeted information.
44. Control Question Test (CQT): A widely used polygraph technique. It involves relevant and control
questions to assess deception.
45. Countermeasure: Deliberate actions taken by an examinee to manipulate polygraph results.
Examiners watch for countermeasures.
46. Baseline: The initial physiological state recorded before relevant questions are asked. It serves as a
reference point.
47. Stimulus: Any external influence that evokes a response during polygraph testing. Relevant
questions act as stimuli.
48. False Negative: Incorrectly indicating truthfulness when the examinee is deceptive. It’s the
opposite of a false positive.
49. Psychogalvanometer: An older term for the GSR component of a polygraph. It measures
electrical conductance of the skin.
50. Polygraph Chart: The graphical representation of physiological responses during a polygraph
examination. It shows changes over time.

II. REFLECTION

For me this terminologies help me in studying polygraph in a way that I can easily
understand those words that I newly encounter in studying this subject and its helps me a lot to
know about polygraphy. A