Psychophysiological detection of deception and Preliminary Process Theory: a comment on Palmatier and Rovner (2015)

Abstract

Palmatier and Rovner (2015) argued that the same psychophysiological processes underlie the outcomes of the Comparison Question Test (CQT) and the Concealed Information Test (CIT). They also argued that Barry's Preliminary Process Theory (PPT) explains the patterns of physiological reactions that occur during polygraph examinations. There is ample empirical evidence that the CQT and CIT produce similar physiological effects. Although PPT may account for those effects, the authors' argument was not persuasive. Demonstrations of effects on targeted response systems that are predicted by PPT but are not predicted by Sokolov's orienting theory would bolster their case and encourage much needed conceptual development and construct validation of polygraph techniques.

Keywords: Comparison question test; Concealed information test; Polygraph tests; Preliminary process theory.