PSY 510 Short Paper 1.docx- Snhu

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PSY 510 Short Paper 1.docx- Snhu

One psychological claim that I am skeptical about is the polygraph test that is seen on television shows, but also in real life. I just don’t believe that a lie detector test will ever be as accurate as people can change the tone of their voice, or take medications to reduce anxiety, some individuals are prone to have a higher pulse when nervous thus leading to inaccurate results, and other various methods that individuals can do in order to pass a lie detector test. A polygraph test uses an instrument that “consists of a physiological recorder that assesses three indicators of autonomic arousal: heart-rate/blood pressure, respiration, and skin conductivity.

PSY 510 Short Paper 1.docx- Snhu

Most examiners today use computerized recording systems. Rate and depth of respiration are measured by pneumographs wrapped around a subject’s chest. Cardiovascular activity is assessed by a blood pressure cuff. Skin conductivity (called the galvanic skin or electrodermal response) is measured through electrodes attached to a subject’s fingertips,” (American Psychological Association, 2004). Personally, I have generalized anxiety disorder with panic disorder, and I would more than likely fail a lie detector test because of my nerves getting the best of me (high blood pressure, rapid pulse, nervous voice) thus giving me a reason to believe polygraph test is not reliable for scientific purposes.

PSY 510 Short Paper 1.docx- Snhu

When examining what is scientifically valid in psychology research, scientists must take into account many factors. In order to confirm the validity of psychological findings, experiments are required to confirm consistent, repeatable results. The necessary components in an experiment include theories, hypotheses, and exact procedures so the experiment can be replicated. While researching a theory or hypothesis, psychological researchers need to consider the “pragmatic usefulness of an idea” (Shermer, 2011, para. 6). Astrology continues to fall into the realm of pseudoscience. According to Shermer (2011), astrology could not be considered a science because there is no “research that produces useful knowledge reflected in presentations, publications, and especially new lines of inquiry and research” (Shermer, 2011, para. 7). Psychological ClaimAstrology claims that the alignment of stars and planets affects every individual’s mood, personality, and environment, depending on when they were born.

PSY 510 Short Paper 1.docx- Snhu

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