Pre-Employment Polygraph Admissions

[LearnedExaminee]

Hello everyone.  First, I would like to say that this is a great site and I have learned so much about polygraphs in the short time that I have been reading it.

However, that is also my problem.  Unfortunately, now that I know quite a bit about polygraphs, I am not sure that I will be able to be interrogated and produce normal results in terms of behavioral characteristics and the other metrics identified in the ebook on this site.  In fact, I am confident that I would be unintentionally deploying countermeasures.

I fear that I should never have researched it.

My question is, should I inform the examiner that I have researched the polygraph exam or should I just hope to appear oblivious to the game?

Thanks!

[George W. Maschke]

If you mention that you've researched polygraphy (and visited sites like AntiPolygraph.org and read The Lie Behind the Lie Detector), then you run the risk of being arbitrarily accused of deception and/or countermeasure use by a miffed and suspicious polygraph operator.

In 2000, I asked the then president of the American Polygraph Association, Skip Webb, how polygraphers are to handle informed subjects who admit their knowledge of polygraphy. He declined to provide a straightforward answer:

https://antipolygraph.org/read.shtml#informed-subjects

and to this day, the American Polygraph Association has not promulgated any policy on how its members are to handle informed subjects.

Under the circumstances, if I were in your shoes, I would keep my research and understanding of polygraphy under my hat.

[LearnedExaminee]

Wow.  Those were the most unpleasant missives I have ever read.

Anyways, I understand what you are saying.  I will keep my knowledge to myself.

I would avoid the polygraph if I could, but every potential employer that has accepted me requires a polygraph examination.

I will post my experience with the PE when the time comes.

[George W. Maschke]

I wish you all the best, and if you have any further questions, feel free to ask.

[Lethe]

Unfortunately, now that I know quite a bit about polygraphs, I am not sure that I will be able to be interrogated and produce normal results in terms of behavioral characteristics and the other metrics identified in the ebook on this site.

Yeah, you're basically screwed.  Flip a coin: heads you pass, tails you fail.  Of course, if you were a stupid sheep, eager to be lead around by your superiors unquestioningly, then you'd have a much better chance at passing.  Too bad for you that you enjoy informing yourself about matters that are important to you and thinking for yourself.  And too bad for all of us that these important positions in law enforcement and national security are being filled by more idiots than would otherwise be the case.

Have a nice day.