An instrument that simultaneously records several physiological indicators such as blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and skin conductivity while a person answers questions. Commonly called a 'lie detector,' though its accuracy in detecting deception is scientifically disputed.
From Greek polys (many, much) + graphein (to write), meaning 'many writings' or 'multiple recordings.' The term was first used in the 18th century for a device that made multiple copies of writing, then applied to the lie detector in the 1920s. The modern polygraph 'writes' multiple biological signals simultaneously to detect physiological changes during questioning.
A polygraph is a 'many writer' — it records multiple body signals at once, like having several seismographs monitoring your internal earthquakes! It connects beautifully to other multi-recording devices: just as a seismograph writes earthquake data and a phonograph writes sound data, the polygraph writes the complex story of your body's responses to stress and emotion.
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