Quote:Everyone I know who has ever passed a polygraph, regardless of how clean their background is, failed their first time out.
I had lunch at the hotel next to the Friendship Annex with a few other applicants who took the poly on the same day. They ALL said their examiner claimed they showed deception after the first chart run.
I think they do this INTENTIONALLY to convince you there must be something "bothering you" about one or more question. In that way they can get you to self examine and volunteer info as to why you are having trouble with the question.
People mistakenly believe that a "reaction" on the chart equates to "deception". They end up questioniing their own critical judgement.
The examiner gets them to think: "Gosh! What could be bothering me? Could it be that time I did "this" or the time I did "that"?....
What they should be doing is thinking: "What? That's bullshit! I am telling the truth. The machine is wrong then! This is a crock of shit!"
You don't want to say that though!
It's just a clever interrogation technique meant to get you talking. It is easy to fall for. I fell for it, and it seems you did too. The problem is that they will blow things out of all proportion if necessary to fail you or validate their stupid chart reading.
It can go either way. I passed my 1995 poly, yet failed my 2000 poly, even though they used this technique during both exams. Why? I did not divulge anything during the 1995 experience (not that I had anything to divulge in the first place). During the test I passed I suggested I was having trouble because he was claiming I was being deceptive when I was actually telling the truth. "Wouldn't that cause a reaction?", I asked. He quickly changed the subject......
I agree, don't go in there paranoid. And do not be confrontational with them. Not on an employment polygraph. Just realize that this is the game they are playing with you. Just let them think they have "flustered" you a little bit, when actually you're not because you are on to them!
And DO NOT tell them you researched the polygraph and mention that you have been to this Site!!!
TC