doctorM wrote on Sep 9
th, 2005 at 4:57am:
Ok....I have a little problem where my heart races and breathing deepens when asked "red flaged question"....in other words questions of importance. Diqualifying questions. I'm going for police officer. I took a poly before and thought I was a complete disaster when that machine was hooked to me.....told numerous times not to move. Finally when the questions were fired at me, I bugged at all the important ones. He obviously knew, and questioned me about them. I have nothing to hide, I'm squeeky clean, never even stole a pen from an office.....it's just not in my nature. I don't believe in deciept even in the simplest form.
That can be a problem, because the most commonly used polygraph technique depends on the assumption that everyone will be less than honest when answering the so-called "probable-lie control" questions.
Quote:The problem lies here. When questions about drugs, sex, lies, and theft came into play.....those words just sent my heart racing cause I knew what he was looking for. Afterwords I didn't confess to a thing when grilled....after all I wasn't lying.
Indeed, it can be a problem. If you're more nervous when answering the relevant questions than you are when answering the "control" questions, you're likely to fail. It doesn't matter that you're telling the truth.
Quote:I was then told that I'd have to go in again for a more detailed exam narrowing down what "bothered" me.....is this just bull?
Not necessarily. Sometimes applicants will be brought back for a follow-up polygraph session.
Quote:He also said that any other municipality I apply for will be privy to these results. I'm apply to Police and Fire depts.....could this hurt my future chances?...
Yes.
Quote:My final question is; does the state police poly held at the state police barricks differ from the privately held ones....(PI firms hired by cities to conduct the test) My next exam (different department from the first) is at the state police headquarters and I've heard certain things about that.....that it's a little tougher.
There's really no way of telling.
Quote:Are my physical reactions normal? Does anyone else have this problem? Should I be up front with the examiner?
Yes, it is completely normal for truthful people to react physiologically when asked accusatory questions about things they have never done, especially when the consequences of not being believed are great. There's nothing wrong with you. The problem lies with agencies that are relying on an inherently unreliable procedure to assess the honesty and integrity of applicants.
I think it would be a big mistake to tell your polygrapher that you have a problem with nervousness or anxiety. Any such statement is likely to be interpreted as an indication of deception: a liar trying to explain in advance why he is going to have problems passing.
For information on polygraph procedure, and how to reduce the risk of a false positive outcome, see Chapters 3 & 4 of
The Lie Behind the Lie Detector.