Taking a polygraph is a serious procedure that can often have a key impact on a person’s life. A lie detector test is often offered when applying for a job, conducting investigations and trials, and in the event of various kinds of conflicts and other situations. For many people, the thought of taking a polygraph test causes anxiety and stress. Because of this, many people worry that the condition will affect the test results. Is this true? And how to calm yourself before going through the detector?
What does stress affect?
To understand how anxiety can distort the results of polygraph testing, you need to understand how it works. The so-called “lie detector” is a special equipment that is connected to a person to record various physiological reactions of the body. Thus, the study is based on a scientific approach.
Stress and extreme anxiety create a feeling of anxiety. At such moments, people feel fear, anxiety and self-doubt. As a result, the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body’s response to stress, is activated and psychophysical tension is created, which is a natural defense mechanism against possible threats. As a result, stress hormones (adrenaline and norepinephrine) are released, which lead to changes in various physiological indicators, namely:
- Heart rates. Stress hormones make the heart beat faster, which leads to increased performance. This natural reaction serves to prepare the mechanism for action in the presence of threats.
- Blood pressure. Due to increased work of the heart, as well as narrowing of blood vessels, pressure inevitably increases.
- Breathing frequencies. In a stressful situation, breathing becomes less deep, more frequent, and sometimes intermittent. This situation is created as a result of the fact that the body requires more oxygen, because the presence of anxiety indicates a potential threat.
- Sweating. Such reactions in a professional environment are called galvanic skin reactions. Sweating increases as a result of stress, which occurs as a result of stress hormones that constrict blood vessels. Thus, the body cools down greatly due to greater blood flow to the muscles and increased sweating.
- Muscle tension. The muscles become more tense as a natural mechanism prepares the body to flee or need to defend itself.
In addition, in a stressful situation a person may experience nervousness, which leads to an involuntary increase in motor activity. At the same time, if a person tries to control his reactions in any way, motor activity may, on the contrary, decrease.
Analyzing all of the above, we can conclude that strong anxiety and stress can affect the results of a polygraph study, distorting them. Moreover, in each person, distortions can be expressed to a lesser or greater extent, which is associated with the level of stress resistance, characteristics of the body and other individual characteristics.
How to prepare for a polygraph?
To successfully pass a polygraph, it is best to calm down and make the necessary preparation for the test. This will help not only to obtain reliable results, but also to go through the study comfortably. Experts offer several recommendations:
- Use physical relaxation methods. These include deep breathing techniques and muscle relaxation exercises. They will calm the heart, return blood pressure to normal and relieve muscle tension. It is important to understand that using these techniques is only recommended when preparing for a test. If you use them directly during the process, this may lead to failure of the study, since the polygraph examiner may regard your actions as opposition to the polygraph.
- Prepare yourself mentally. Prepare yourself to believe that a polygraph test is a simple conversation or interview. Remember that you have nothing to fear as long as you are not trying to hide any information. A positive attitude is key here. Also, during the testing process, try to concentrate on the questions and answer calmly.
- Prepare your body physically. Physical condition is often decisive, since it has a key influence on physiological indicators. Before testing, it is important to get a good night’s sleep, not drink coffee or other stimulants, and eat beforehand. Thanks to this, the body will feel “full and satisfied” and will not produce unexpected reactions.
These simple tips will help you successfully take a polygraph without unnecessary worries and worries.