Science University Research Symposium (SURS)
Publication Date
Fall 11-24-2025
College
College of Sciences & Mathematics
Department
Psychological Science, Department of
SURS Faculty Advisor
Dr. Lingfei Luan
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
The Concealed Information Test (CIT), based on Lykken’s guilty knowledge framework, measures physiological responses when individuals recognize crime-related details compared to neutral alternatives. Previous studies show that variations in stimulus presentation enhance the CIT’s accuracy, especially through changes in electrodermal activity and heart rate. However, few studies have tested whether a Qualtrics-based mock-crime version of the CIT can replicate these physiological patterns. This study addresses that gap by adapting the CIT for a digital research environment. The goal is to determine whether participants show greater physiological arousal—measured through skin conductance, heart rate, and respiration—when exposed to crime-related “critical” stimuli compared to neutral “irrelevant” items during a mock-crime task. Participants (N = 20) will be recruited from Belmont University’s SONA pool and fitted with Biopac sensors to record physiological responses. Each participant will complete a Qualtrics-based mock-crime scenario followed by five multiple-choice questions, each containing one crime-related and four neutral items. Data will be analyzed using paired-samples t-tests to compare responses to critical versus irrelevant stimuli. This study extends traditional deception-detection methods by integrating biometric recording with a digital Qualtrics interface, enabling remote, customizable, and replicable administration of the CIT without specialized lab software. Beyond replicating classic findings, this digital adaptation provides a scalable platform for studying deception in accessible, low-cost environments. The broader significance lies in its potential application to remote forensic assessments, virtual law enforcement training, and cost-effective deception testing in pandemic-era or rural contexts, thereby broadening both the accessibility and societal relevance of psychophysiological research.
Recommended Citation
Koenigsberg, Ezra; McHenry, TaMya; Manzana, Jasmine; Powell, Taylor; and Jackson, Samantha, "Physiological Response to Concealed Information in a Mock-Crime Paradigm" (2025). Science University Research Symposium (SURS). 334.
https://repository.belmont.edu/surs/334
Included in
Biological Psychology Commons, Cognition and Perception Commons, Cognitive Psychology Commons, Cognitive Science Commons, Experimental Analysis of Behavior Commons, Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons
