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Although your polygrapher may have represented the procedure to you as a peak of tension test, the question, "Since the age of X, have you ever lied to an authority figure?" is clearly a probable-lie "control" question. If I were facing a polygraph "test" that included such a question, I would be sure to produce a reaction to it.
Posted by: Broken Posted on: Aug 31st, 2002 at 8:59pm
That question, "Have I ever lied to an authority figure since the age of xx" was used in my lie detector test for fidelity. I figured it was a control question. I'm not sure I understand it all.
Posted by: Johnson Posted on: Aug 31st, 2002 at 4:27am
George, There were other questions too. They had to deal with the sections of the test. Did you lie about your drug usage, lie about your application, Have ever been fired from job, lie about your sexual habits, etc. I was told it was a peak of tension test by the examiner. Let me know what to do I think I might be retested
Posted by: jet-journalist Posted on: Aug 31st, 2002 at 1:02am
All of the questions you listed were irrelevant questions except for one: "Since the age of X, have you ever lied to an authority figure?" This is a textbook example of a probable-lie "control" question. See Chapters 3 & 4 of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector for more on "control" questions and how to recognize them.
The technique you encountered thus seems to have been a "control" question "test" and not a relevant/irrelevant one. If you can recall any other questions you were asked, I'd be happy to offer an opinion on whether they were relevant, "control," or irrelevant questions.
On a final note, it would probably be imprudent for you to answer jet-journalist's question at this juncture (what police department is this?) as doing so might enable your polygrapher to identify you (especially if your last name really is "Johnson"), and result in retaliation against you for having posted here.
Posted by: jet-journalist Posted on: Aug 30th, 2002 at 11:22pm
I took this poly and it went wierd. The questions all seemed relevant with the exception of is today XXX? Is this the month of XXX? Are you wearing sox? Is your nameXX? Also was asked were some others: Since the age of X, have you ever lied to an authority figure? Stuff like that. I told truth but was asked about my thoughts during several questions after. I think I was just nervous. Then they informed me I might have to come back to clear things up if need be. Which happened, I have to go back probably for another test. What shall I do, is this a rlvnt/irrlvnt test? Or peak of tension test? Any help would be great not sure of the situation, can countermeasures be used on this type to make sure I pass?