Anyone ever had to take a polygraph test?
 

I stumbled across this today...

http://listverse.com/science/top-10-tips-for-beating-a-lie-detector/

Yes...I mean no.

Yes...I lied.

I didn't do it! I swear!

You mean other than my dad's STERN GAZE :) ...never could pass that one either so I knew better than to even try!

I see a bright future for you in politics :)!

Can you define that word?

No cheating
 

I have a good friend who is a polygrapher and I've taken one with DEA during the hiring process.

Bottom-line, no prior "study" technique will help you.

The Polygrapher will make you or break you. If he/she wants you to pass you will, if they want you to fail you will.

I passed mine....the polygrapher helped me pass.

I was polygraphed, and I'd had quite a bit of familiarity with the process and its flaws (*coughAldrich Amescough*). When my polygrapher did the "hihowareya, my name is ___ and I'll be your polygrapher today" spiel, she asked me if I knew anything about it.

I told her I'd seen it done a number of times, was familiar with the metrics, etc. She asked what I thought of polygraphy -- I told her the truth. I think it's hooey, and easily beaten by a practiced liar.

Yeah. Bad move.

8 hours of polygraphy over the next 2 days. And the polygrapher the next day was a different woman, who, immediately upon entering the room said "Hello. I'm ______, and I hear you have some interesting opinions on polygraphy."

Though they were both nice, professional... and helpful. They warned/coached me that very bright people tend to overthink the questions, instead of just answering what was asked.

JP

"Have you ever watched pornographic videos Focker?"

Can't you just answer "maybe" to everything?

TV had a program on the testing. Top mechanic said it's the skill of the polygrapher that affects the test. The skilled tries to get the subject under pressure before answering to eliminate any relaxed state.

If your soul is gone (lack of conscience) the tests do not work.

I have been through a couple of these tests. It is truly a game to intimidate you into giving them the goods up front. I am one of those types who over analyze things, so it is a painful process for me. The examiner like to play a lot of games with you to prove that the machine really works. Its interesting. I was many times accused of lying when I was speaking the absolute truth. This ended up in a near confrontation in which I basically told them that if the machine told them I was lying, it was just too bad. I think they really want to get you to the point where you "break". They want to see the frustration of a falsely accused subject jump out in true outrage. It works. I will say, it is still possible to get a pass on certain things. I was asked if I had ever done something that I knew I didn't want to admit to. It was irrelevant, but I didn't want to go through the whole interrogation. It is possible to do this by simply refusing to let them pin you down.

I can say with absolute assurance that the whole thing is just a huge game. They go through an exercise to convince you that the thing really works and spend a lot of time presenting the "science" of the machine. If you pay attention you quickly realize that they never truly prove it. Even knowing that it is complete BS still doesn't stop me from being intimidated. Sometimes the examiner will play really rough too. Essentially, threatening that a world of S**t will come down on you. I got this treatment over an issue that I was not being deceptive on. I can tell you it is very unpleasant and I will strive to avoid the experience.

If you are a lying sack of crap, they will generally figure it out. The machine is only a prop for the show, the real action is in how the examiner is interacting with you. They are very schooled in picking up the subtle inconsistencies of someone who has something to hide.

anyone have a thought on how the testing deals with a psychopath?

I seriously doubt it would work. A psychopath wouldn't really care about the truth. I suppose they could figure out what they were dealing with, but I doubt they could ever be sure what they got from one.

I taken two.......Witnessed many others being administered......Polygraph is now considered "old tech"......Voice stress analysis is now considered more reliable.......