How knowing the facts about the polygraph test alters pharmacy students' attitudes

Area of Science:

• Forensic Psychology
• Occupational Health
• Legal Medicine

Background:

• The polygraph, or "lie detector" test, is often used in employment and investigative contexts.
• Concerns exist regarding the polygraph's scientific validity, reliability, and ethical implications.
• Understanding public and professional attitudes towards polygraph use is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of an educational lecture on pharmacy students' knowledge and attitudes towards the polygraph procedure.
• To evaluate changes in students' perceptions of polygraph utility, job protection, and ethical acceptability.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire was administered to pharmacy students before and after a 50-minute lecture on the polygraph.
• The questionnaire measured attitudes regarding polygraph use in employment, honesty checks, and investigations.
• Student perceptions of job protection, fear, and ethical/legal objections were also assessed.

Main Results:

• Following the lecture, significantly fewer students supported polygraph use for employment screening, honesty checks, or theft investigations.
• More students expressed fear for their jobs and objected to the polygraph based on poor validity/reliability and ethical/legal grounds.
• A significant increase in students willing to refuse the polygraph test was observed post-lecture.

Conclusions:

• Educational interventions can significantly alter perceptions of polygraph effectiveness and ethical standing.
• Pharmacy students, after education, demonstrated increased skepticism towards polygraph use in professional settings.
• Findings highlight the importance of informed consent and critical evaluation of polygraph technology in the workplace.