Volitional Polygrph Question

[qrqzz88]

I work in an environment where many of my coworkers have opted for a higher level of clearance and were required to take a polygraph as part of the process.  I have been considering following suite as a way of increasing my job security.  What I wonder about is how one's personality type should be taken into account when considering such a path.  For example, I find that I am a person who has many self doubts, I'm not very good at mind games and I'm generally easily intimidated.  The idea of being interrogated gives me a very bad feeling.

I believe that it is possible that I could prepare myself sufficiently for the "exam".  I realize I would have to reread many times TLBTLD and practice.  But clearly there is a significant risk of failure.

Is there any advice you would have for someone in my position?

BTW: thank you all for your efforts and attention to this cause!

[stefano]

I find that I am a person who has many self doubts, I'm not very good at mind games and I'm generally easily intimidated.The idea of being interrogated gives me a very bad feeling.

This is fertile ground for the interrogator. I would suggest you find ways to flip these attributes around so that you can manipulate the manipulator. I have seen literature which teaches such skills.

[pailryder]

qrqzz88

I would suggest you find ways to flip these attributes around so that you can manipulate the manipulator.

That could turn out to be quite a difficult task, indeed.

[qrqzz88]

I have seen literature which teaches such skills.

Do you happen to have a reference?  I would be interested in reading more about this, though I can see how I may be steering into turbid waters...

[stefano]

I would be interested in reading more about this, though I can see how I may be steering into turbid waters... 

Then you must become the shark within those waters. I would suggest you begin by searching for anti-kinesics or related key words.

[pailryder]

stefano

I have seen literature which teaches such skills

My searches drew blanks.  Can you provide a specific reference?

[stefano]

pailryder, first start by viewing One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The mental prowess of most examiner/interrogators is on par with Nurse Ratched.

[qrqzz88]

I found the following publication, but I don't know where it first appeared or if it was ever reviewed:

Detecting deception during interviews - Great Communicators
by John L. Waltman, Steven P. Golen

I would guess that kinesic counter measures would include a substantial kensic response during the control questions...

[pailryder]

stefano

If you cannot provide a cite, admit it.  No need to call names.

And, by the way, I already know the best counter to a kinesic assessment.

[pailryder]

I would guess that kinesic counter measures would include a substantial kensic response during the control questions...

Are you for real?

[stefano]

I think you know by now that I can cite it; I just don't jump through hoops like a trained dog. I am serious about nurse ratched, study her.

[qrqzz88]

I would guess that kinesic counter measures would include a substantial kensic response during the control questions...

Are you for real?

Okay, I admit I'm getting into material that I know even less about than the material covered in TLBTLD which I've only begun to study.  The fact that the subject of kenesis isn't covered in TLBTLD is not reassuring, so I would assume I'm stepping out onto thin ice.

It would be useful to know if there are personality aspects that almost certainly spell disaster when it comes to taking a polygraph.

On the other hand, part of me feels that I could pull it off, but then I could easily be fooling myself.

[pailryder]

qrqzz88

For the most part, agencies select their most successful interrogators for polygraph training.  Almost all have good interview skills and are already trained to make kinesic assessments and to analyze prompted and non-prompted verbal responses.  Many have years of experience and training before being selected for polygraph training.  They are not as dumb as some on this board would like you to believe.  Consider before you choose to mud wrestle a pig, you both get dirty and the pig likes it.   

It would be useful to know if there are personality aspects that almost certainly spell disaster when it comes to taking a polygraph.

Dr Maschke is better qualified to answer that one.