January 26, 2009
the timed antagonistic response alethiometer
An alternative to the polygraph has been created based on the premise it takes longer to lie than tell the truth.
Aiden Gregg, a psychologist at Southampton University who developed the timed antagonistic response alethiometer (Tara), found that in 85% of cases interviewees were slower at faking answers than when telling the truth. Gregg believes that lying takes longer because it involves more complex cognitive activity.
The Tara test involves answering a series of questions displayed on a computer screen as quickly as possible by tapping responses on a keyboard. The programme records how long it takes each individual to answer and uses an algorithm to analyse the results.
Gregg said he built the test because he suspected that criminals were finding increasing ways to hide their dishonesty.
“Habitual liars heard that people look away when telling lies, so they stare directly into your eyes,” he said. “However, we are not getting any smarter at detecting lies, and that could have serious consequences.”
comments
Leave a Reply
Spooky. What about people with active minds and imaginations, who can see all sorts of connections between the ‘facts’ and other related ‘facts’ and stories around them? I have to pause sometimes when asked a straight question, in order to find the simplest, clearest answer. Mind you, when I was little, I sensed that calling a person a liar was the worst possible term of offence.
I oughta sign up to be tested. I can lie really really fast. I live to embellish.
the first comment in the original post said something like: oh great, now criminals will learn to answer everything slowly.
and around we go.