The Validity of the Polygraph with Hypnotically Induced Repression and Guilt

The authors tested the polygraph's validity by hypnotically inducing repression and guilt in six subjects. They conclude that an individual who has committed a crime may repress this experience sufficiently to pass the polygraph test, while an anxious individual who has not committed a crime may render a falsely positive response on the machine. The authors discuss their conclusion that the polygraph is not foolproof in terms of implications for law enforcement agencies.