"flexing question"

[gottapass]

hey guys, i had a question about the spincter muscle flex.  I know i hold it for around 7-9 seconds, but should it be a steady flex or should i gradually increase the tension and then gradually release it?  Should i also keep it flexed throughout the entire breating pattern or for appoximately 9 seconds of the entire breating pattern. Does it matter if it isnt flexed throughout the entire breating pattern?  thanks for the help in advance!

[George W. Maschke]

gottapass,

We did not include specific suggestions for how long to maintain the manipulation of one tracing vs. another in order to make it more difficult for polygraphers to identify any distinctive pattern that might help to identify readers of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector. You may choose to employ multiple manipulations for different amounts of time, or for the same amount of time.

With regard to whether to steadily constrict the anal sphincter or to gradually tighten and release, I have no recommendation. But note (as we will in the 2nd edition of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector) that one should in any event use less than maximal effort. A little goes a long way. Note also that none of the breathing manipulations described involve taking full deep breaths.

[beech trees]

hey guys, i had a question about the spincter muscle flex.  I know i hold it for around 7-9 seconds, but should it be a steady flex or should i gradually increase the tension and then gradually release it?  Should i also keep it flexed throughout the entire breating pattern or for appoximately 9 seconds of the entire breating pattern. Does it matter if it isnt flexed throughout the entire breating pattern?  thanks for the help in advance!

Speaking from my own experience, I think sub-maximal, mixing up lengths of contractions as well as 'length to subside' works very well. I found that when flexing very hard it was difficult to also not engage the lower abdominal muscles (rectus abdominus) which then affected my diaphragm and hence my breathing. Some change in breathing pattern during control questions is wise, so on a few of the controls I flexed hard-- that changed my breathing pattern to a more fluttery shallow type. Other controls I flexed less vigorously and tapered off into the next question (there was approximately 30 seconds between questions)...

Polygrapher never knew what hit him.