Unit 17测谎仪：血液,汗水和恐惧？.docVIP

Unit 17 The LIE DETECTOR: BLOOD, SWEAT, AND FEARS? James A. Baggett ???I felt no pain as two soft rubber tubes were?strapped?around me – one around my stomach, the other round my chest. Wires were fastened to two of my fingertips. A blood pressure cuff was wrapped?snugly?around my arm. No needles were stuck into my skin and there were no electric shocks. ? No, I wasnt having a physical check-up at the doctors office. I was taking a test with a machine?known as the “lie detector.” Many people – but not all – believe the machine can help show the truth of a persons answers to questions. The “lie detector” is also called a polygraph (POL-ee-graf;?poly?meaning many andgraph?, writings. See note 1). It operates on the assumption that when a person lies, his or her body hasstress reactions?– changes that can be detected by scientific instruments. These changes includes a rise in blood pressure, more sweating, breathing differently, and other physical response because of stress. ? The polygraph was developed during the 1920s by John A. Larson, an American psychologist. Larson convinced many police officials and other investigators that polygraphs were valuable in questioning suspects. Since then, retail stores and other employers (banks, for example) have used the devices to screen job applicants and investigate employee theft. You may be – or may already have been – asked to take a lie detector test when applying for a job! ?? The ancient Chinese had their own version of the polygraph. They believed that the stress of lying inhibits (restrains) the flow ofsaliva. This would make it difficult to chew or swallow dry foods. So, they tested suspected liars by making them chew rice powder and then spit it out. If the powder remained dry, the suspect was declared guilty! MYSTERY MACHINE ???The polygraph is actually a group of separate (poly – ) instruments. These are in a metal case about the size of a small suitcase. Its top surface is covered with mysterious – looking knobs