Another type of mental countermeasure?

[yatittle]

I was thinking about the use of mental countermeasures, and what exactly they are attempting to cause with respect to physical reactions (pulse etc..).

I then thought, what would happen if on every control question, you thought about that one question you will obviously have trouble answering.

I guess the question is, will thinking about the question which will give you the most (possible) problems, be enough of a reaction on control questions, to counteract that question when it is actually asked?

I guess it is possible that the reaction during the control could be exactly what is shown as a reaction during the relevant question, resulting in a 'inconclusive?'.

In all honesty, I have thought about some exciting moments, fight or flight type moments, and I don't feel my body reacting to them. Maybe I am desensitized because of what I've seen on the internet, beheadings etc. I just figure why dance around the mental countermeasure and go get the reaction which will cause you the most problems in the relevant portion of the test.

Any thoughts?
Randy

[George W. Maschke]

I think a better alternative would be to perform mental arithmetic, for example choosing an arbitrary number and counting backwards by 7s as fast as one can, or attempting to rapidly solve a math problem.

I suggest this because thinking of the relevant question that most disturbs one as a countermeasure might tend to increase one's physiological responses to it when that relevant question is actually asked.

[lee32279]

but is the counting backward from 7 done to intentionally trip myself up mentally so i throw the chart off during a control question?  personally, say starting at 350, i can't go further back then 243 without getting frusterating in my mind...numebrs have never been my strong point.

anyway, like the poster, I believe i'm desensitized as well to, for example, being brutally raped, etc.  these thoughts don't tigger a reaction.  the pucker does, but i'm fearful of the butt pads...

my poly would be for a local pd and possibly a small town pd and/or county sheriff's dept.

any feedback?

[George W. Maschke]

The whole idea of such mental exercises as counting backwards rapidly by 7s or rapidly solving a math problem is to create the kind of frustration that will produce a scorable reaction on the polygraph charts in association with the asking of "control" questions.

[lee32279]

so if i just stay frusterated after 253, then i'm okay...

are they're really butt pads during local pd poly's...i'm more comfortable w/ the pucker, but i can feel the flaps of my little toosh move when i do it....not good...right?

[George W. Maschke]

Not all polygraphers are using sensor pads (or "butt pads," as you descriptively put it), but use of these devices has been growing over the past several years. You'll find illustrations of some of the devices currently in use in the message thread, Counter-countermeasure Techniques.

[lee32279]

thank george, i'm checking it out now.