CPE Psychophysiology 3

Question 1

Which hormone released by the adrenal medulla during acute stress directly increases heart rate and prepares the body for 'fight or flight,' and is thus relevant to polygraph psychophysiology?

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine (adrenaline)

Answer

Epinephrine (adrenaline) released from the adrenal medulla amplifies sympathetic effects by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and peripheral vasoconstriction during acute stress.

Question 2

What is the significance of the 'defense response' in polygraph psychophysiology, and how does it differ from the orienting response?

Accepted Answer

Defense response involves cardiac acceleration and vasoconstriction; orienting response involves cardiac deceleration and sensory attention

Answer

The defense response is triggered by intense or threatening stimuli and involves sympathetic activation (heart rate acceleration, vasoconstriction), while the orienting response to novel stimuli involves cardiac deceleration and attentional focus.

Question 3

In polygraph testing, 'adaptation' of physiological responses across multiple presentations of the same question is used to assess what?

Accepted Answer

Whether the question itself is relevant and salient enough to produce differential responses

Answer

If a question continues to produce a robust response despite repeated presentations (resistance to adaptation), it indicates that the question retains salience and psychological significance for the examinee.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the role of the hypothalamus in the psychophysiological responses measured during polygraph testing?

Accepted Answer

It serves as a relay center integrating emotional signals and coordinating autonomic output

Answer

The hypothalamus integrates signals from the limbic system (including the amygdala) and coordinates downstream autonomic nervous system output, making it central to producing measurable psychophysiological responses.

Question 5

What does the term 'baseline' refer to in psychophysiological measurements during a polygraph examination?

Accepted Answer

The resting physiological activity level recorded before relevant questions are asked

Answer

Baseline refers to the subject's resting physiological state recorded prior to the formal question series, providing a reference level against which question-elicited responses are evaluated.

(CPE) Certified Polygraph Examiner Practice Test

(CPE) Certified Polygraph Examiner Practice Test

CPE Psychophysiology 3