How do you pass a polygraph test when you are nervous?

Question

Don't answer if you have never taken a test before or if you truly don't know the answer to the question. This is serious life or death type of situation.

Answer 1

calm down and belive what u say is the truth

Answer 2

The dirty little secret behind the polygraph is that the "test" depends on trickery, not science. The person being "tested" is not supposed to know that while the polygraph operator declares that all questions must be answered truthfully, warning that the slightest hint of deception will be detected, he secretly assumes that denials in response to certain questions -- called "control" questions -- will be less than truthful. An example of a commonly used control question is, "Did you ever lie to get out of trouble?" The polygrapher steers the examinee into a denial by warning, for example, that anyone who would do so is the same kind of person who would commit the kind of behavior that is under investigation and then lie about it. But secretly, it is assumed that everyone has lied to get out of trouble.

The polygraph pens don't do a special dance when a person lies. The polygrapher scores the test by comparing physiological responses (breathing, blood pressure, heart, and perspiration rates) to these probable-lie control questions with reactions to relevant questions such as, "Did you ever commit an act of espionage against the United States?" (commonly asked in security screening). If the former reactions are greater, the examinee passes; if the latter are greater, he fails. If responses to both "control" and relevant questions are about the same, the result is deemed inconclusive.

The test also includes irrelevant questions such as, "Are the lights on in this room?" The polygrapher falsely explains that such questions provide a "baseline for truth," because the true answer is obvious. But in reality, they are not scored at all! They merely serve as buffers between pairs of relevant and "control" questions.

The simplistic methodology used in polygraph testing has no grounding in the scientific method: it is no more scientific than astrology or tarot cards. Government agencies value it because people who don't realize it's a fraud sometimes make damaging admissions. But as a result of reliance on this voodoo science, the truthful are often falsely branded as liars while the deceptive pass through.

Perversely, the "test" is inherently biased against the truthful, because the more honestly one answers the "control" questions, and as a consequence feels less stress when answering them, the more likely one is to fail. Conversely, liars can beat the test by covertly augmenting their physiological reactions to the "control" questions. This can be done, for example, by doing mental arithmetic, thinking exciting thoughts, altering one's breathing pattern, or simply biting the side of the tongue. Truthful persons can also use these techniques to protect themselves against the risk of a false positive outcome. Although polygraphers frequently claim they can detect such countermeasures, no polygrapher has ever demonstrated any ability to do so, and peer-reviewed research suggests that they can't.
In other words remain very calm. Be very consistent with your answers and answer in the same tone. Just convince yourself that you didnt do anything wrong. Get a good night's sleep and eat breakfast. You will do fine. I took one two weeks ago and passed knowing that i deliberately lied. You can also find books at the library or go to http://antipolygraph.org/

Answer 3

While the test does measure body reactions, it also measures the tones of the voice and the answers themselves.

Pass/Fail? They use the terms "deceptive" or "truthful" to tell how the person answered the questions. And they don't do an overall "grade", but a question by question reaction.

Polygraph tests are used for investigative purposes only - they are not admissable in a court of law as evidence due to the chance for inaccuracies.

Answer 4

Eat some rice and soy milk before the interview. Good for the stomach.

Put a penny under your tongue and think of a puzzle. The penny acts as a copper sulfide agent which makes your stomach a bit weird and the puzzle keeps your mind busy. Like count sheep, figure out a math problem or try and balance your budget.

Seriously. These are tactics that will relax u physcologically and biophysically.

Answer 5

Nervousness is normal during polygraph examinations, but, due to the inaccuracy of polygraphs, I would refuse to take a polygraph examination, if I were a suspect in a criminal case (even to exclude myself as a suspect). In most jurisdictions, polygraph examination results are inadmissible in criminal court. They are usually used as an investigative tool, but imagine the consequences of failing a polygraph examination, if you are truly innocent. The police will undoubtedly focus on you as the prime suspect, and it is always possible that they will "find" evidence that fits their theory that you committed the crime.

Answer 6

It's really difficult, yes... because the testers' jobs are to make you nervous. There's no real way to get past it. The more they badger you, the more nervous you get - sweaty, heart beating miles a minute, shaky, irregular breathing, etc. The ONLY thing that gets you through is if you KNOW that you've got nothing to hide and nothing to fear. It's not much, but if you keep repeating that to yourself and you just try your very best to relax, you should be fine. It's a horrible test, and I sympathize with you.

Best of luck!!!

L

Answer 7

Relax when you pass the polygraph test. Just be yourself and you will not have any trouble.

Answer 8

you cant pass if you are lying. Be nervous as hell and tell truth you will pass. If you plan to lie pucker your bootyhole when they ask you questions you can answer honestly.

Answer 9

it merely measures differnce in your reactions. So you can be as nervous as you want, it will show you getting more upset when you lie.

But they are not allowed to be used in court, so why even bother taking it.

Answer 10

tell the truth