Over analyzing

[Jay Armstrong]

I plan on attending the police academy this June and need to pass the applicant screening which includes a polygraph. In no way am I concerned about whether or not I did anything to prevent me from becoming an officer... what I am concerned about is my personality and how it will effect the questioning. I'm extremely over analytical. I fear what I believe to be the truth and what they believe to be the truth will prevent me from answering "correctly". As an EXAMPLE, I worry about a question like: Did I lie on any applications or forms?
I haven't filled out any forms yet, but "what if" there is a yes/no question and I'm honestly not certain? If there's any doubt, then to me, yes, I did lie on the form. But I didn't have a choice in a yes/no question.
Again, that question is just an EXAMPLE of what I'm worried about.
Am I overreacting? Over analyzing?
Will I have the opportunity to express my concerns about the questions before or after they are asked?
Thanks in advance.

[George W. Maschke]

Jay,

You need to understand how the polygraph "works." The polygraph operator actually wants you to have doubt about whether your answers to some of the questions (the so-called "control" questions) are completely truthful. Examples of commonly used "control" questions include, "Did you ever lie to someone in a position of authority?" and "Did you ever take something that did not belong to you?"

The "test" is based on the assumption that people who are being truthful about the relevant questions (such as those about drug use and criminal activity) will show a stronger reaction to "control" questions.

You're not supposed to know about this, and the polygrapher will attempt to convince you that he wants you to answer all questions with complete honesty.

See Chapter 3 of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector for a much fuller explanation of polygraph procedure, and see Chapter 4 for information on how to reduce the risk of a false positive outcome.

[Jay Armstrong]

Reading those chapters didn't really answer my questions and are meaningless to me since an interviewer can't do to me what I'm already doing to myself... which is putting doubt into my own head.

[dre2142]

In regards to the forms....what do you mean you have not filled out any forms yet? To be honest with you...if you have not filled out any forms as of yet, I seriously doubt that they will process you fast enough to get you into a June academy. Have you taken a written test yet?
Have you received a (at least) 50 page background booklet?

Prior to the actual polygraph, the polygrapher will have you fill out ANOTHER background questionaire that he will base your test on.

[Jay Armstrong]

In regards to the forms....what do you mean you have not filled out any forms yet?

[glb]Personal history form, applications etc.[/glb]

To be honest with you...if you have not filled out any forms as of yet, I seriously doubt that they will process you fast enough to get you into a June academy.

[glb]So? What is your point?[/glb]

Have you taken a written test yet?
Have you received a (at least) 50 page background booklet?

[glb]No and no. What is your point?[/glb]

Prior to the actual polygraph, the polygrapher will have you fill out ANOTHER background questionaire that he will base your test on.

[glb]I realize that.[/glb]

[dre2142]

Then what is your question??
You wouldnt feel weird answering a question about lieing on any application forms, because you WILL have filled out application forms before the polygraph.

I would worry about the steps prior to the polygraph before the actual polygraph.