Passing the Poly is easy

[Peter Fonda]

I think the people on this site need to wake up and face reality. Anyone can beat the machine, I did. Simply create a high peak, or an reaction to the control questions. Sounds easy right? It is easy, but that does not mean that the games done. The job of the interogator is to weed out applicants or to find violations in the law. These two aspects of the polygraph are like night and day. In the case of employment, forget the stupid machine, treat the polygrapher as your next potential employer...Sell him or her on you. The polygrapher is choosing who passes or fails based on his or her preferences, period.
When being polygraphed for a crime, I would doubt anyone could pass, at least they shouldn't, unless the polygragher did not know how to play "GOTTA". Have we not all seen NYPD Blue, you are always guilty, for now.

Wake up

[steincj]

I think the people on this site need to wake up and face reality. Anyone can beat the machine, I did. Simply create a high peak, or an reaction to the control questions. Sounds easy right?

PF,
Sounds easy, IF you have prior knowledge of how the "test" works.  If you are unsuspecting and go into the test blind, you can be manipulated with ease.

The polygrapher is choosing who passes or fails based on his or her preferences, period.

Again, only someone who knows about the polygraph prior to their "test" would realize how subjective it is. The purpose of this site, I believe, is to inform others of the danger the polygraph can have on a prespective career.

When being polygraphed for a crime, I would doubt anyone could pass, at least they shouldn't, unless the polygragher did not know how to play "GOTTA". Have we not all seen NYPD Blue, you are always guilty, for now.

I agree, the specific incident test and the pre-emploment "test" are completely different.  Even the NAS backs this up in thier findings.

All in all, the consensus of posters on this site are merely here to inform others about the polygraph.  With success, people who take a polygraph can speak as you did, recalling their easy polygraph.   Without success, the list of horror stories on the personal statements page will continue to grow.

Chris