On Pogge, Polygraphs, and Pseudo-Science

I took and passed a polygraph test denying this and various other accusations. I propose and offer to pay for additional polygraph tests of both parties’ conflicting claims with a mutually agreeable expert.--Thomas Pogge, "Response to the Allegations by Fernanda Lopez Aguilar.

I was baffled to read the quoted sentence in Thomas Pogge's Response to the Allegations (see here) My gut reaction was, "if a mutually agreeable experts can be found, such an expert would be a fraudster." It is widely known that Polygraph testing is a pseudo-science.

But then doubt crept in: Pogge's "Response" looks like it has been vetted by a lawyer, and surely s/he would not encourage reliance on incredible, pseudo-scientific means. A quick google search landed me on the website of  the American Psychological Association. Here's what that APA writes:

Evidence indicates that strategies used to "beat" polygraph examinations, so-called countermeasures, may be effective. Countermeasures include simple physical movements, psychological interventions (e.g., manipulating subjects' beliefs about the test), and the use of pharmacological agents that alter arousal patterns....

Polygraph testing has generated considerable scientific and public controversy. Most psychologists and other scientists agree that there is little basis for the validity of polygraph tests. Courts, including the United States Supreme Court (cf. U.S. v. Scheffer, 1998 in which Dr.'s Saxe's research on polygraph fallibility was cited), have repeatedly rejected the use of polygraph evidence because of its inherent unreliability.

It does not follow that Pogge's denials are wholly false. But it does follow that his offer to pay for additional polygraph tests, while perhaps sincere, is based on bullshit. I don't know if Pogge and his legal team are aware that polygraphs are unreliable, but they should quickly withdraw the offer. Conflicting claims cannot be tested in a meaningful way by a polygraph and to maintain otherwise is a form rhetorical (if not legal) hucksterism.

Comments

[Matt]

Something odd about polygraph tests (in addition to what you mention above, and which I agree with) is that while, in the US, they typically cannot be used in court as evidence and most employees cannot typically be required to take one, they _can_ be used (and I believe are used) by police departments, the FBI, and the CIA on their owe agents or officers. I'll admit to being baffled by this. (One idea would be that these groups know better than others how to make these things work, but I don't think there's evidence for this and don't believe it.) It really makes me wonder what these groups think they are doing when they use the tests.

(While a bit irreverent, perhaps, I can't help but this of this, in light of the situation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cI5wfBVVu6g )

[ThomasPogge]

I took the polygraph test because I didn't know what else to do to clear my name.

But suppose I somehow beat the test, that my denials are false, and that she is truthful in claiming that I attacked her in her senior year and in June. Why would she then ask me in July to accompany me on a trip to Argentina?

[Kathryn Pogin]

Prof. Pogge, for someone who understands so well the ways in which power and wealth can infect the relationships between states such that impoverished nations are forced to act practically against their interests in some respects in order to protect their interests in other respects, it's strange, I think, you don't seem to understand why a student's trying to maintain a professional relationship in this context is not good evidence against her claims.

But, regarding the timeline, while I also think it's odd to press on the difference between "senior year" and what would be only weeks later (less odd, if there weren't similar or worse inconsistencies between your own account and the emails you provided) -- are summers part of academic years? If so, which years? If not, do academic years fail to be 'years'? -- but it has been pointed out elsewhere: "Pogge derided the claim that he had 'attacked' Lopez Aguilar during her senior year. That appears to be a reference to language from a public fundraising plea written by a friend of Lopez Aguilar’s. Lopez Aguilar herself did not allege inappropriate physical contact until after graduation." (https://www.buzzfeed.com/katiejmbaker/yale-professor-responds-to-allegations-of-sexual-misconduct?utm_term=.atnDRGzk5#.xcxjXJpny)