cia2a,

It's impossible to say for sure what's going on, but it seems likely that your polygrapher thought you were deceptive and/or employed countermeasures. In reviewing the polygraph literature, I've found that polygraphers frequently use the term "distortions" rather than "reactions" when speaking of countermeasures. On the other hand, if your polygrapher truly suspected countermeasures, it wouldn't seem to make much sense to limit the accusation of "distortion" to a single question.

You might want to review Chapters 3, 4, & 5 of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector before your follow-up polygraph interrogation (remember, it's an interrogation, not a valid test).

In addition, if your polygraph is with the CIA, as your screen name might suggest, the statements of two CIA polygraph victims on the Personal Statements page will be of interest.

FYI,

I read the CIA Applicant statements.  Yup, that's right on the mark....ha ha ha ha.  The Poly is secondary to the "intimidation", they try to get you to quit before you start.  They figure that the odds are, if that sort of thing bothers you....you'd quit after a sort while anyways.  So they rattle you as much as they can.  Shake you down and see how you react.

Hell, I got a call back after "I walked out" on the first Poly!  So what does that tell you?  I told them that "I wanted the job....I didn't NEED the job."   Then I unhooked myself from the box (much to the horror of my polygrapher) and walked the 5 miles down Rt 123 to the Admin building.  I wasn't riding in their F**KING Shuttle Bus.   Got in my car and went home.  I got a call from one of the Nurses that day asking "...where are you?"   I told them, "Well, since you called my house....and I'm talking to you....you figure it out."  Then she informed me that I had more medical tests to finish.  I told her, "No I don't."  The Nurse said "Yes you do, Sir."  I guess she didn't get it.  So I told her, "I am no longer seeking employment with your Agency."  and hung up the phone.

Two weeks later, I got a call form the Office Personell Director asking me to "try again"....it was amazing...in and out with a passing grade in 1 hour (vs the 7 hours previously).... funny....my years there were the most fun of my career.  Once you pass the hazing.....your in!

So, was it a Poly test.....or a Psych test?  You be the judge.