Superman:

I don't think the concept and theory behind the "Probabl-Lie" control questions test is clicking successfully in your mind.

Read the name of the test:  "probable-Lie control questions test."  Why do they call it the probable-lie test?
They call it the probable-lie control questions test because the examiner (and all examiners) expects (yes...EXPECTS) that all (yes ALL...even you Superconfused!) people will doubt themselves when they answer the probable-lie control questions.   

The probable-lie control questions are questions such as, "Other than who you told me about, did you lie to anyone else of authority?"  They are questions that nearly all people in the entire United States could have MULTIPLE ANSWERS for.  The examiner will expect you to doubt yourself when you tell them "no" during the exam on a question such as that.

The examiner will compare reactions to control questions--questions where they expect the person to doubt themselves and have heightened reactions--to reactions to the relevant questions. If the reactions to the relevant questions are even greater than the heightened reactions to the probable-lie control questions (caused by EXPECTED feelings of doubt), then you will be found deceptive/ a liar.  If you only have higher reactions on the control questions, and lesser reactions on the relevants, then you are found to be telling the truth.

Your missing the point that in order to pass the test, you need to have higher reactions on the control questions. The reason they expect this is because the examiner is TRICKING you into doubting yourself on the control questions so that they can see what your reactions look like when you are experiencing anxiety.

Remember, the control questions will be created out of you responses in the interview.  They will be broad ranging questions (cover a huge amount of time) that are not significant.  They are questions that most people can answer to with NUMEROUS answers.

You want the needle to "go up," as you say, on the control questions to MAKE SURE that you have higher reactions on the control questions.  This will ensure that you pass the test.

You want to be sure in your own ability to determine what a control question is, and what a relevant question is.  If your not good at distinguishing the two, then you might end up uing the countermeasure on a relevant question and cause yourself to fail.

Also, you are right about the drinking and driving question.  It can become significant if you say "Yah I drank and drove 5 to 10 times this last year, last time being yesterday night."
If you admit to anything on this interview question, say "I drove once in the last two years under the influence."  Don't admit to anything more than once or twice when it comes to drinking.  If you admit to more than that, the agency will get rid of you based only on your admission.

A control question regarding drinking and driving might be, other than what you told me, has there been any other time that you drove under the influence in the pas 3 years?
Again, they expect that anyone who drinks and drives will end up doing both at the same time on a number of occassions. Plus, as I said before, they expect you to doubt yourself and say to yourself in your mind, "Was I considered drunk that one time when I drove home from wendys?"  etc.

I suggest you try and clarify your understanding of the theory behind the probable-lie control questions test.   

It can't be explained in much more black-and-white than this
 
Netnin

Superman,

I suggest that you slowly and attentatively read (or re-read) Chapter 3 of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector, which explains the rationale for probable-lie "control" questions in detail. Do this without distractions (turn off the T.V., radio, etc.). The rationale for probable-lie "control" questions (and how to recognize them) is not very difficult, but it is the most complicated part of learning how to pass a polygraph "test."

With regard to the "stim test," by augmenting your physiological responses while falsely denying the number you actually wrote or the card you picked, you can increase your polygrapher's belief that you are a good candidate for a polygraph "test," leading him to expect to see strong reactions to the "control" questions if you are truthful (or to the relevant questions if deceptive).

Superman,

Yes, you should apply countermeasures during the stim test. The proper time to do it is when the polygrapher asks about the number you are told to lie about .

As George said, the reason for doing this is to let the examiner think that the polygraph works really well on you because the "needle jumps" a substantial amount when you lie.

Your very welcome. Feel free to ask any additional questions--either here or by email at scalabrini@antipolygraph.org. 

Let us know how it turns out.