The American Polygraph Association (APA) is a professional association of

polygraph A polygraph, often incorrectly referred to as a lie detector test, is a device or procedure that measures and records several physiological indicators such as blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and skin conductivity while a person is asked an ...

examiners. It was established in 1966. It has about 2,800 members. The organization offers its members publications and conferences related to polygraphy, as well as employment services and public referrals for its members. It lobbies to promote its members' interests at the local, state, and federal levels. It also establishes minimum standards for the education and training of polygraphers, and offers accreditation to programs that meet those standards. The association does not accredit or certify individuals. The stated goals of the APA are: :*Serving the cause of truth with integrity, objectivity and fairness to all persons :*Encouraging and supporting

research Research is "creativity, creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the stock of knowledge". It involves the collection, organization and analysis of evidence to increase understanding of a topic, characterized by a particular att ...

training Training is teaching, or developing in oneself or others, any skills and knowledge or fitness that relate to specific useful competencies. Training has specific goals of improving one's capability, capacity, productivity and performance. I ...

and

education Education is a purposeful activity directed at achieving certain aims, such as transmitting knowledge or fostering skills and character traits. These aims may include the development of understanding, rationality, kindness, and honesty. Va ...

to benefit members of the Association as well as those who support its purpose and by providing a forum for the presentation and exchange of information derived from such research, training and education :*Establishing and enforcing standards for admission to membership and continued membership in the Association :*Governing the conduct of members of the Association by requiring adherence to a

Code of Ethics Ethical codes are adopted by organizations to assist members in understanding the difference between right and wrong and in applying that understanding to their decisions. An ethical code generally implies documents at three levels: codes of bus ...

and a set of Standards and Principles of Practice APA members are proponents of the control question technique of polygraph admission, which includes asking questions designed to gain a greater

physiological Physiology (; ) is the scientific study of functions and mechanisms in a living system. As a sub-discipline of biology, physiology focuses on how organisms, organ systems, individual organs, cells, and biomolecules carry out the chemical ...

response from innocent subjects being given a polygraph. About 10 years before the founding of the APA, a future president of the organization, Chris Gugas, demonstrated the polygraph before a national television audience with

Groucho Marx Julius Henry "Groucho" Marx (; October 2, 1890 – August 19, 1977) was an American comedian, actor, writer, stage, film, radio, singer, television star and vaudeville performer. He is generally considered to have been a master of quick wit an ...

on the comedian's show ''

You Bet Your Life ''You Bet Your Life'' is an American comedy quiz series that has aired on both radio and television. The original and best-known version was hosted by Groucho Marx of the Marx Brothers, with announcer and assistant George Fenneman. The show deb ...

''.

Notes

External links

American Polygraph AssociationUK Polygraph Association
{{authority control Organizations established in 1966 Forensics organizations Professional associations based in the United States Psychology organizations based in the United States Polygraphy 1966 establishments in the United States