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Spectacular science: the lie detector's ambivalent powers.
1Division of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Manchester Metropolitan University, Elizabeth Gaskell Campus, Hathersage Road, Manchester M13 0JA, United Kingdom. g.bunn@mmu.ac.uk
History of Psychology
|July 25, 2007
Summary
Popular culture shapes scientific inquiry, as seen with the lie detector. This technology, fueled by media, became a symbol of science while requiring skilled operators, demonstrating "spectacular science" in action.
Area of Science:
- History of Science
- Sociology of Science
- Science Communication
Background:
- Defines "spectacular science" as inquiry shaped by popular culture.
- Introduces the lie detector as a case study for this phenomenon.
Observation:
- Examines the 20th-century history of the lie detector.
- Analyzes its portrayal in newspapers, magazines, films, comics, TV, and advertisements.
Findings:
- The lie detector was presented as an automated scientific machine.
- Simultaneously, it was depicted as a mystical object needing a "magician" operator.
- These contradictions were reconciled through a "spectacular mode of governance."
Implications:
- Highlights the influence of popular culture on scientific technology perception.
- Suggests that the "spectacular" nature of science can obscure complex realities.
- Provides a framework for understanding how science is popularized and governed.
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