NCJ Number
200073
Journal
Polygraph Volume: 32 Issue: 1 Dated: 2003 Pages: 15-39
Date Published
2003
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This report presents the findings of a review of literature that addresses cultural factors which could influence the validity of polygraph examinations.
Abstract
For the purpose of this study, the literature review focused on comparisons between and among countries or possessions, recognizing that within any one country or possession there may be several cultures. A total of 29 countries were included in this review. The review considered what the literature indicates about how being from various countries might affect a subject's perception and experiences of truth, lying, shame, and guilt; belief in the validity or efficacy of detection of deception; a cultural tradition of autonomic control; the ability to control self-presentation; and tester/testee interactions and critical examiner behavior. In addition to the literature review, a rational-deductive approach to the examination of the impact of cultural factors on polygraph examinations is developed based upon Hofstede's model of cultural differentiation. This literature review concludes that there has been very little experimental research that has directly addressed the cross-cultural factors identified as subject matter for this review. The literature does discuss common characteristics across cultures, with considerable variation along a continuum; and it also addresses characteristics that are distinctive to a culture or a minimum number of cultures; however, these cultural characteristics are either irrelevant or too general to be useful to a polygraph examiner. These findings call for a substantial research effort designed to identify those cultural factors whose variation among polygraph subjects is relevant to deception diagnosis. 3 tables, 57 references, and appended description of databases searched by computer for this review and a checklist of topics for training individuals to interact with collectivists