The Effect of Emotionality in Lie-detection Questions on Skin Conductance Response

Abstract

Objective: To examine the relationship between emotional states and skin conductance response during lie-detection and to provide evidence for improvement of lie-detection technique. Methods: 38 university students participated in the study. They were provided with antisocial behavior materials that elicited different levels of emotional arousal. Results: Significant difference in skin conductance response was observed with the high emotionality items eliciting the highest skin conductance response. Conclusion: Under a certain level of pressure, individuals' emotional state has direct impact on skin conductance. High emotionality questions are better for detecting lies and honesty than low emotionality questions. In addition to lying, the questions themselves have direct impact on subjects' emotional responses, which in turn lead to skin conductance response. When cues for emotionality are obvious, related events tend to receive greater attention by subjects and thus lead to special skin conductance response. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract)