Why we lie

[Catherine]

Did anyone happen to catch the show "Why We Lie" on the Science Channel? It was very interesting. One gentleman commented on how the polygraph cannot tell the difference between fear of getting (because of deception) and fear of getting accused of lying (when telling the truth), but of course we all know this already.

[George W. Maschke]

Catherine,

The documentary you mention is indeed an interesting one. I saw earlier. I think the person to whom you are referring is Professor Paul Ekman, who has described the concept of an "Othello Effect" wherein the fear of not being believed is misinterpreted as being indicative of guilt. Incidentally, Professor Ekman is a member of the National Academy of Sciences'
polygraph review committee, whose report is due soon.

[Catherine]

Great! I hope he can straighten out some the people who believe in polygraphs. It still irks me that so many people in this country put faith in those silly machines.