Taking a polygraph in the modern world is becoming an increasingly relevant decision. The services of a polygraph examiner may be required in a variety of situations when it is necessary to establish the reliability of information. But are the polygraph results absolutely true? Today we will talk about whether it is possible to fool a polygraph, and how to do it.
Features and advantages of polygraph testing
The polygraph or lie detector is a modern method that allows you to identify hidden or unreliable information. The work of the polygraph is based on recording various physiological reactions of a person. Such checks are relevant when selecting employees, for business, law enforcement agencies, as well as for personal purposes.
The effectiveness of the test is due to the fact that it has a scientific basis. During the testing process, the detector analyzes breathing, heart rate, electrical conductivity of the skin, as well as other indicators related to a person’s response to stress. At the same time, testing is always adapted to specific purposes. There is no subjective assessment here, which allows for an accuracy of over 90%.
The key advantages of a polygraph test are:
- Increasing the reliability of information. The polygraph allows you to determine whether a person is telling the truth in certain situations.
- Accelerating the process of identifying the truth. This eliminates the need for lengthy inspections and investigations. Thanks to this, it is possible to identify unscrupulous workers, witnesses and even relatives.
- Improving the efficiency of investigations. Thanks to the polygraph, you can filter out unreliable readings and concentrate on more significant aspects.
- The ability to create a reliable environment. Whether it is business, public service or even family, a polygraph will allow you to weed out unreliable and irresponsible people who are capable of betrayal.
- Powerful psychological impact. Polygraph testing itself puts pressure on a person. In the case of liars, this only contributes to the speedy identification of the truth.
Is it possible to fool a polygraph?
Since the polygraph records your reactions, and there is no subjectivity in evaluating the results, it is not so easy to fool a lie detector. There are a number of reasons that prevent the possibility of deception:
- Professionalism of polygraph examiners. When testing, you must have a specialist with you who not only records your reactions on the device, but also monitors your behavior. For an experienced specialist, it is not difficult to identify manipulative behavior – inadequate or non-standard reactions, artificially created tension, etc.
- Individual approach. It is almost impossible to prepare for testing in advance, since in each specific case a specific list of questions is drawn up in accordance with the purposes of the test. The test is designed to prevent any possible attempts to lie.
- Comprehensive check. The polygraph records not one, but many physiological indicators. Thus, even if you try to “fake” any reactions, other indicators will certainly indicate a discrepancy.
- Control measures. During testing, the polygraph examiner uses a comparison of control, relevant, and neutral questions. As a result, the lie becomes more obvious.
Methods of deception
Although the accuracy of the polygraph is about 90-95%, some people still try to distort the results in a certain way and fool the lie detector. Let’s look at the most common methods:
- Breath control. In this way, people try to distort physiological indicators – heart rate, blood pressure. This can only be achieved through very long training using yoga and breathing exercises. In most cases, people “collapse” due to the so-called “exhalation of relief” after a tricky question.
- Acting skills. There are situations when the professionalism of an actor is so high that he manages to deceive the polygraph. This is only possible if you are able to fully get used to the role, literally replacing your personality.
- Pretend to be a fool. For a polygraph, a key aspect is calibration, which allows further analysis of results and reactions. If you start answering questions frivolously and haphazardly, then you simply won’t be able to calibrate the machine properly. Of course, such behavior will not go unnoticed by a specialist.
- Medicines. There are medications that lower blood pressure. They can significantly reduce the body’s reactions. At the same time, both weak and overly strong reactions indicate that the person is trying to hide something. Moreover, medications can be hazardous to health.
In most cases, it is impossible to fool a lie detector, because a specialist will definitely notice the catch. Moreover, such attempts will not help your reputation. Polygraph — service, which allows you to verify the reliability of a person. Don’t give it too much importance or get nervous if you have nothing to hide.