In the modern world, the issue of trust is especially acute. Deception, fraud, misconduct, theft or ulterior motives often cause harm to both ordinary people and entire companies. That is why polygraph examination services are in high demand today. However, this testing often causes anxiety among subjects. Today we will talk about how you can prepare for a polygraph, and what you absolutely should not do.
The principle of operation of the polygraph
It is important to understand that a polygraph cannot determine truth or lie. Such equipment is connected to a person to read physiological responses to questions (stimuli), as well as the answers to these questions. The task of determining the truthfulness or falsity of statements lies with the polygraph examiner, who analyzes the data obtained based on his experience and qualifications.
The polygraph records reactions and changes in heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and sweating. At the same time, due to the individual characteristics of each person, the equipment must be calibrated for the subject.
Recommendations for preparing for a polygraph
To successfully pass a lie detector test, it is important to make proper preparation for the test. The following advice is given by experts on this subject:
- Have a good rest. Adequate sleep is the most important aspect that will ensure the normal state of the body during testing. With a lack of sleep, the body experiences stress, which can lead to distorted results.
- Eat before the test. Hunger inevitably causes stress and corresponding body reactions. You shouldn’t overeat either. An excellent option before testing would be a light breakfast that excludes heavy foods. This will help avoid bloating and discomfort.
- Ensure optimal drinking regimen. It is important to drink enough water while preparing for the test. However, you should not drink too much immediately before testing, so as not to be distracted and stressed during the process.
- Prepare yourself mentally. For many people, taking a lie detector test is scary and stressful. By worrying during the study, you risk distorting physiological indicators and failing the test. It is important to calm down and have a positive attitude. Remember: a polygraph is just equipment, and the test itself is an ordinary conversation. Your job is only to answer the questions honestly.
It is also recommended to choose appropriate clothing for the study. It is important that it is comfortable and does not restrict movement. The test lasts about 2 hours, so you should be comfortable during this time.
How to cope with anxiety?
Most people are more or less nervous before a lie detector test. We offer several ways to cope with anxiety so that testing is successful:
- use relaxation exercises (breathing exercises, meditation and yoga will help you achieve inner balance and calm your nerves);
- do what you love (hobbies and other activities will help you distract yourself and not get hung up on fear and stress);
- think positively (concentrating on the positive aspects of life and positive emotions will help distract you and reduce anxiety);
- enlist the support of loved ones (talking to your family and their support will help you feel more confident and reduce your stress level);
- take a walk in the fresh air (immediately before the polygraph it is recommended to take a walk, which will help you relax and take your mind off negative thoughts).
What can’t you do?
There are things that you should absolutely not do before a polygraph:
- Do not take medications that affect the nervous system. Sedatives, antidepressants, nootropics and other drugs are strictly prohibited. Such drugs affect the bioelectrical activity of the brain. If necessary, you can use alternative methods for good sleep and calmness (warm milk with honey, herbs, etc.).
- Don’t drink alcohol. Even a minimal amount of alcohol can affect heart rate, blood pressure and other indicators. In addition, it dehydrates the body. All this will affect the results and create discomfort when taking the test.
- Don’t expose yourself to excessive physical activity. Intense training or hard physical labor leads to muscle tension, which can affect results. The day before the test, try to choose quiet activities.
During the testing process, it is important to concentrate on the questions, understand them clearly and answer calmly. All this will help with ease take a polygraph test.