What might be an outcome of a polygraph test if not interpreted correctly?

Polygraph tests measure physiological responses such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory patterns while the subject answers questions. The underlying assumption is that deceptive answers will elicit distinct physiological responses compared to truthful ones. However, if the results of a polygraph test are misinterpreted, they can lead to significant negative consequences, such as wrongful accusations.

This can happen if the examiner attributes physiological responses incorrectly, interpreting stress or anxiety as deception even when the subject is telling the truth. Factors like nervousness, medical conditions, or other external stressors can influence polygraph results, leading to an inaccurate conclusion about the subject's honesty. Such misinterpretations can have serious ramifications, including false allegations and damage to reputations, which underscores the critical need for careful analysis and context when interpreting polygraph data.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately depict potential outcomes of a poorly interpreted polygraph test. Innocence is not always assumed because the polygraph results could prompt further scrutiny regardless of the subject's actual truthfulness. The test does not guarantee truth verification; it is merely an indicator and should not be solely relied upon to determine truth. Also, while polygraph results may influence legal decisions, they should not be the sole basis for major legal