Debate on the polygraph’s credibility has raged on since the technique’s invention over a century ago. But while the contention usually pits advocates and critics within the polygraph’s scientific community, cultural attitudes play a critical role too.
Multiple studies have established significant variances in how different cultures perceive lie detector tests.
Certain cultures are ready to embrace polygraphs with open arms. However, others are a little skeptical about its efficacy.
Mounting evidence also points to challenges in administering lie detector tests in a foreign language. Even with an interpreter’s intervention, it takes a truly professional examiner to navigate certain cultural nuances.
Here’s a look at the various factors impacting cultural attitudes towards lie detector tests.
1. Variances in the Concept of Lying
Lying should be a universal language. Any sound person would readily know they’re engaging in falsehood, their cultural backgrounds notwithstanding.
However, different cultures have diverse perceptions of the implications of lying. And those variances can impact individual attitudes towards the lie detector test.
Certain beliefs advocate lying “for the common good.” Individuals from these demographics may intentionally spin falsehoods to escape punishment, even where polygraph tests are involved.
2. Differences in Emotional Expression
Human emotions are equally universal. Most normal people will express happiness, fear, or anger when they truly mean it. But despite this universality, the manner of emotional expression can vary across different cultures.
Note that the polygraph technique doesn’t rely on sheer emotion. Rather, it’s based on the principle that lying triggers the autonomic nervous system (ANS).
However, being overly emotional while answering polygraph questions can lead to the misinterpretation of physiological data.
3. Language Barrier
Language barrier is a major impediment to conducting a credible lie detector test.
Differences in native language between an examiner and examinee may cause misunderstanding, despite using a skilled translator. That’s because certain cultural nuances impact how people internalize some phrases.
Therefore, examiners should insist on administering lie detector tests in an examinee’s native language.
4. Perceptions Towards Authority
In normal polygraph testing, an examiner inherently represents a higher figure. They do all the questioning as examinees carefully think up their replies.
Some cultures highly esteem authority figures, almost idolizing them. Individuals from such backgrounds may feel uncomfortable about being holed up in a room with an examiner.
This could cause physical stress, potentially leading to data misinterpretation.
5. Uncertainty Avoidance
Uncertainty avoidance describes the extent to which a person feels comfortable with ambiguity. This psychological concept dictates how people process truth, handle stressful information, and regulate their emotions.
People with high uncertainty avoidance tend to be more risk-averse. When confronted with uncomfortable polygraph questions, such individuals may elicit more dramatic reactions that might be misconstrued as deception.
The good news is that a well-trained polygrapher can effectively sift normal emotional responses from those triggered by uncertainty avoidance.
6. Beliefs on Personal Privacy
Some people will pursue honesty even if that entails disclosing sensitive personal information. However, others may be a little more guarded.
Polygraph exams can often delve into the subject’s private life. Examinees who value personal boundaries may not cooperate fully, impacting the credibility of the lie detector test.
To address this concern, examiners must undertake to safeguard the subject’s privacy.
7. Individualism vs. Collectivism
People who come from cultures that believe in collectivism may want to conform to the crowd mentality.
If such communities treat lying with triviality, the individual might be more inclined to suppress the truth despite their conscience impressing them otherwise.
Conversely, people who value individualism will want to follow their own personal beliefs. Such examinees may have a better conviction of honesty and deception.
8. Masculinity vs. Femininity
According to Hofstede’s model, cultures that lean towards masculinity tend to be more assertive. Examinees from such backgrounds can be pretty set in their ways, making them challenging to polygraph.
In contrast, feminine cultures tend to be more modest.
Note that these inclinations apply to both males and females. Therefore, a female examinee from a masculine culture may display assertiveness just as their male counterparts.
9. Short-term Versus Long-term Orientation
Before lying, many people often consider the short- and long-term implications of their actions.
Examinees with short-term orientation may easily lie to escape the interview room. To such individuals, the biggest threat is having to contend with polygraph questioning.
Meanwhile, those who focus on the future impact of their actions might be more inclined to be truthful. Why lie if doing so could have them locked up for years?
10. Examiner Biases
Preconceived examiner biases might influence the outcome of cross-cultural polygraph tests. Indeed, multiple studies have shown that cultural prejudices can impact decision-making in counseling.
Assume that an immigrant from a crime-ravaged country is accused of a heinous murder. When polygraphing such examinees, it may be tempting to presume them guilty until proven otherwise.
The good news is that examiners are professionally trained in objectivity. An experienced polygrapher will treat every examinee impartially, regardless of the amount of incriminating evidence.
Harnessing Cultural Dynamics in Conducting Accurate Polygraph Tests
Cultural attitudes towards polygraphs remain divergent. While some cultures are inherently averse to lie detector tests due to their general perceptions of truth detection, others are more receptive to the technique.
Working with a licensed polygraph examiner is the best way to navigate complex cultural dynamics.
An experienced polygrapher would research how various cultures communicate, and then harness that information to conduct a credible lie detector test. Key insights, such as a culture’s perception of honesty and deception, can help an examiner adapt polygraph questions accordingly.
