I was reading about how polygraph works and post-exam disclosures.

If a polygrapher says that a subject showed a significant response would it be prudent to make up something ridiculous to confess to that was "on their mind" when they answered the question?

For example, if the polygrapher says there was a significant response on drug questions, would it be prudent to say, "Well, sometimes when I have a headache, I'll take two regular over-the-counter baby aspirin... and if I still have a headache an hour later, I'll take 1 more. I know its stupid, but the label says to only take 2 every 8 hours."

I would be smart enough to only do this if the voice recording was on, since I would not want that misconstrued by the polygrapher in to an admission of prescription medication abuse.

Or if it is national security-related, say, "I just saw the movie 'Breach' and I was thinking about that a lot when you asked those questions."

What would be the probable outcome? An indeterminate result leading to either a failure? or a repeat polygraph?

flight815,

I think it's a good idea to have pre-planned throwaway explanations of why one might have reacted to any of the relevant questions. It's important that such explanations not be the kind of thing that can be spun into a damaging admission, and I think the examples you've provided are good ones.

As Gil points out, the polygraph operator might try to use such an explanation as an opening for further interrogation. If that happens, it's time to stand firm, offer no further explanations, and politely terminate the post-test interrogation.