Method,

Although polygraphers will tell subjects that it is important to answer all questions with complete honesty, and that any doubts will show up on the polygraph, they secretly expect answers to the "control" questions to be less than completely truthful.

When you answer a "control" question, it is not really important whether your answer is truthful or not. You need to give the expected answer and show a stronger reaction to it than to the corresponding relevant questions. In most cases, the expected answer to a "control" question is "no." For example, "Did you ever take anything that did not belong to you?" or "Did you ever tell a lie to a person in authority?" But in some cases, the expected answer to a "control" question is "yes." For example, "Are you a really honest person?"

For more on "control" questions, see Chapter 3 of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector.

Sorry for the very late response in answer to this thread, as I have only just recently discovered this site. But this question regarding the "control questions" is a very important topic, as it will define the outcome of the rest of the polygraph testing, in my view.   

  I have not yet downloaded the book, The Lie Behind The Lie Detector, but from what I've already gathered, the control questions are the basis for whether or not an applicant is going to succeed throughout the rest of the polygraph testing. 

  Someone (a real good veteran street cop) once told me...."admit nothing, deny everything, demand proof." No truer words were ever said. 

  Basically, what I'm trying to get at is, it seems the "control question" technique is the biggest BS approach which is the psychological setback for the prospective LE applicant.   

  Mike_C.