Personal Test

[Cabaliero]

I am in the position to take a personal test. My wife thinks I cheated, which I didn't. I like to be an informed person and I read all I can from this site and others, including the book The lie behind ...

The more I read, the more I fear, because even I have nothing to hide it seems that this is more likely a subjective evaluation, and I am a very emotional person.

I have couple of questions for anybody who can help:

1. A personal test is rather similar with all test descibed in the book? I mean with control question and so on.

2. I've seen on some reality show that one poligrapher, when testing the competitors, gave immediately answer about pass/fail. For all I read, this is not possbile because the reaction needed to be compared. It was a test of only 3 questions anyway and one was irelevant. Is this possible?

3. Can my wife ask the questions? It will obviously induce an additional stress.

4. Being a personal test, I can say the truth for all control questions, because nobody except my wife and eventually the polygrapher can judge me for that. Shall I lie?

Fact is that I love my wife and my daughter, and my wife is pregnant with the second child. I love her and want to raise my children together. I cannot afford to fail the test, even I don't see any reason for that.

PS I don't live in the States, I'm from Europe.

[George W. Maschke]

1. A personal test is rather similar with all test descibed in the book? I mean with control question and so on.

The Control Question Test is the most commonly-used polygraph technique, although some polygraph operators use the relevant/irrelevant technique.

2. I've seen on some reality show that one poligrapher, when testing the competitors, gave immediately answer about pass/fail. For all I read, this is not possbile because the reaction needed to be compared. It was a test of only 3 questions anyway and one was irelevant. Is this possible?

"Reality" TV shows are frequently scripted and staged. A polygrapher using standard techniques cannot call out the result of each question as it is asked (as Nick Savastano did in his recent polygraph "test" of Perez Hilton).

3. Can my wife ask the questions? It will obviously induce an additional stress.

Again, while you may see such things done for show business, it's standard practice for the polygraph operator to read the questions.

4. Being a personal test, I can say the truth for all control questions, because nobody except my wife and eventually the polygrapher can judge me for that. Shall I lie?

One should give the expected answer to control questions, whether or not it's true. For example, if the probable-lie control question, "Have you ever had sexual thoughts about a woman other than your spouse?" is asked, the expected answer is "no," and that's the answer one should give.

Fact is that I love my wife and my daughter, and my wife is pregnant with the second child. I love her and want to raise my children together. I cannot afford to fail the test, even I don't see any reason for that.

Even the use of countermeasures provides no guarantee of passing this invalid test. I think your best option is to refuse the lie detector and to share with your wife the information about polygraphy that you've found here. The "test" is a pseudoscientific fraud and simply not to be relied upon for any purpose.

[Cabaliero]

Thank you for your answer. Congrats for this site.

I already accepted when she first had the idea. It was impulsive from my side. It will make me look unfaithfull if I now decline, even thou it's justified from all the info I have read. Most probably I will take my chances. Will let you know the result.

[sackett]

Fortunately or not for this site, taking a polygraph is not the answer to your wife's suspicions.  She has her suspicions for a reason, whether made up or real.  If you take a test and pass, she may very well think you used what you read here in TLBTLD (even though there is no credible research to establish the usefullness or viability of the information provided here while "protecting yourself"; and, no-one has ever successfully proven that countermeasures actually work beyond their promotion within this site).  If you fail, then your problems are just beginning and her suspicions will be realized.

I  suggest counseling and vent out the issues between you.  Also, the possibility exists you may get an inexperienced or unqualified examiner and bad results may follow.  

This is a matter of trust.  Work it out rather than taking a polygraph.  You'll thank me later.
 
Sackett

P.S.  And yes, in case you are new, I am a polygraph examiner.

[T.M. Cullen]

You'll get much better results if you have the test conducted in a closet.

Do you have a large walk-in closet?

I mention this because a celeb was recently tested in his wife's closet.

DUDE!  You are letting the "pop culture" rule your marriage.

I don't care what you may have seen on TV, the test is NOT reliable!

Does your wife get her info from watching Oprah and Dr. Phil?

"Reality" shows on TV, are really NOT reality!

[T.M. Cullen]

even though there is no credible research to establish the usefullness or viability of the information provided here while "protecting yourself"; and, no-one has ever successfully proven that countermeasures actually work beyond their promotion within this site

There is no credible research to establish the accuracy or scientific basis for polygraph testing.  Even though poligraphers routinely lie through their teeth telling test subjects that the test is 95-98% accurate.  

Caveat Emptor

[nopolycop]

 Also, the possibility exists you may get an inexperienced or unqualified examiner and bad results may follow.  

That is because there is, (for the most part) no standard to which polygraphers must adhere to.  Take the advice of Sackett, forget the poly and get counseling.  

[ycrad508]

I am in exactly the same postion. I have agreed to take the polygraph test to prove my innocence. However I am terrified that I will still fail the test. I really am in a no win situation here. If I now tell my girlfriend that I do no want to do the tes then I look guilty. Then again if I do the test and fail then there is no way she will ever believe me again??