i am still having problems understanding what are control questions and what are irrelevant questions.  i know what the relevant questions are.  "is the light on in this room?" i would of thought that is a control question.  can somebody explain the difference? please

Raymond,

If the original poster feels comfortable sharing information regarding his/her polygraph experience, I would not discourage him/her from posting such. My point to "Colorado" is merely that, assuming he/she wishes to remain anonymous, he/she should be cautious in publicly divulging information, especially in view of the fact that the person requesting information happens to be a polygraph examiner in the state of Colorado.

Mr. Maschke,

If you read my posts above, you'll notice that I did not ask for any personal information.

I merely asked how the polygraph went. 

Aren't you a little curious?


r

Raymond,

I don't pretend to be able to read your mind. But I am able to read your past posts, including those you made here while trolling under the screen name Ludovico. Your past conduct inspires little confidence regarding your present good faith, and "Colorado" would be wise to exercise caution in revealing personal information.

Quote:


Mr. Maschke,

Please try to refrain from speaking for my wishes in that manner. Expressing other people's thoughts and intentions is regarded by many therapists as disrespectful, and an indicator of poor interpersonal boundaries. In its worst forms, such "mind reading" becomes a form of interpersonal battering and abuse. 

You cannot possibly know my wishes.

For all you know, I might wish everyone who is truthful and cooperative to have a favorable test outcome. 

It was a very interesting situation to observe you coaching the person on how to defeat the test. Don't you think it would be most informative to read more about this person's experience, and whether (s)he took or passed the test?



r

raymond.nelson wrote on Dec 7^th, 2007 at 3:30pm:


Before answering that question, "Colorado" should be aware that Raymond Nelson is a polygraph examiner in the state of Colorado, and not likely a well-wisher.

So, how did it go?

Colorado wrote on Dec 6^th, 2007 at 5:17am:


I don't know what you mean by "since it's a lie detector," but a question about whether one has ever lied would be a probable-lie control question. Note that there are no "relative" questions in a polygraph examination but rather relevant questions.

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No. An examinee's answers to control questions are expected to be less than completely truthful. While it is okay to make minor admissions, there is no need, for example, to attempt to disclose every lie one has ever told in one's life.

Quote:


No. Those are irrelevant questions, not control questions. Note that some polygraphers will falsely refer to the irrelevant questions as control questions in an attempt to mislead examinees.

Your questions make it clear that you have not read and understood Chapters 3 & 4 of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector. Attempting polygraph countermeasures without fully comprehending the material covered in those chapters would be a mistake.

Again I suggest that you consider using the complete honesty approach and foregoing countermeasure use.

If they ask you if you have ever lied, would that be considered a relative or a control, since it is a lie detector? I also understand that you should answer control questions with complete honesty, is that coorrect? If he ask's "Are the lights on" or "Is your name ____" should i bite my tongue for those answers? Thanks for all the answers.

Colorado wrote on Dec 6^th, 2007 at 5:06am:


Should you choose to employ tongue-biting as a countermeasure, then yes, it should be applied only on the control questions. However, should you choose to go the complete honesty route, I would suggest foregoing any countermeasures. Instead, you might bring with you, say, a printout of the AntiPolygraph.org homepage and/or this article as proof that you've researched the polygraph and understand that it's pseudoscience.

In addition, you might want to refuse to sign any liability waiver that the polygrapher may shove under your nose.

Thanks for all the information. I'm 17 by the way. If i bite my tounge though, should i only do it on the control questions? I will tell him that i researched polygraphy and see what happens from there.

thebigmainer wrote on Dec 5^th, 2007 at 4:27pm:


Quite possibly. But Colorado is not facing the polygraph in connection with a job application.

If you tell the tester that you know about the polygraph and are labeled as not suitable doesn't that hurt you in getting a job?

Colorado wrote on Dec 5^th, 2007 at 1:25am:


Colorado,

Polygraph countermeasures are explained at length in Chapter 4 of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector. Breathing slowly is a bad idea, as it is likely to be interpreted as a polygraph countermeasure.

I suggest you consider an alternative to using countermeasures: the "complete honesty" approach that is also described in Chapter 4 of TLBTLD. You might tell your parents that you've researched polygraph testing on-line and learned that it has no scientific basis, is inherently biased against the truthful, and yet may be beaten by liars using simple countermeasures. Perhaps your parents will realize that resorting to a lie detector "test" was a foolhardy choice.

Should your parents nonetheless compel you to go through with the polygraph, you might also use the complete honesty approach with your polygrapher. When (s)he asks what you know about the polygraph, just be honest. You might even mention the fact that you've posted here. If the polygrapher is wise, (s)he may well agree that you, (presumably) being a minor, being forced to take the polygraph against your will, and having learned about the trickery on which the "test" depends (see Chapter 3 for full details), are not a suitable subject for polygraph "testing."

Colorado wrote on Dec 5^th, 2007 at 1:25am:

How old are you?

Colorado,

Don't bite your tongue or employ countermeasures.

Just realize that the machine simply measures your level of nervousness.    Many people who lie when asked a question during a poly get nervous, many people WHO TELL THE TRUTH when asked a question during a poly GET NERVOUS.  So what the hell good is it?

If the person being tested is naive (like most people) and actually BELIEVES the machine can detect a lie, they will be bluffed into making an admission.

SO, the best advise I can give you is DON'T ADMIT TO ANYTHING!

I don't care if they scream, threaten you, cry, get red in the face, call you names, or whatever.  Don't admit to shit!

If they claim the machine is telling them you are lying, then tell them the problem must be with THEIR MACHINE and not you're veracity.

If the machine does show disception, and you make a confession, YOU FAIL!

If the machine does show disception, and you make NO confession, you'll get a INCONCLUSIVE.

Want to fail?  Make a confession.  No confession, no failed test.  Would you rather get an "inconclusive" or a "failed doctor Phil!"

It's that simple.  Their goal is to get you to start yacking and say something stupid.  Don't fall for their con.

P.S.  If things get heated, ask them why their test is inadmissable in court IF IT's SO DAMN ACCURATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My parents are making me take a polygraph to see if i helped my friend commit a crime. The question they want an answer for is "Did you help him commit this crime" I did not but know i will be nervous. I dont want to be an innocent person called a liar. I can't back out and need some help. Do I bite my tongue on all questions except the one i will be nervouse on or what? I am already going to breathe slow. Please help