Polygraph exam

[[e-mail]]

I'm looking into becoming a Maryland state trooper. I think I will be ok with all the exams. However, the polygaph exam makes me nervous. I read some where that a person who is lying and cheating has a better chance of passing than someone telling the truth. Is that true? What type of questions do they ask? How long is it? How many times do you have to take one? This is my first post here so any info would be helpful. Thanks. See ya!

[George Maschke]

Mike,

The polygraph "test" depends on the hidden assumption that the subject will lie or at least feel uncertain when answering the "control" questions. Perversely, the more honestly one attempts to answer the control questions, and as a consequence feels less stress when answering them, the more likely one is to fail.

For a detailed description of what goes on in a polygraph "test," including commonly-asked questions, see Chapter 3 of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector, which may be downloaded for free at:

antipolygraph.org/pubs.shtml

[Drakor]

Best wishes to you on getting on with Md State police they are a tough bunch to get hired with. I heard the tester is a real sweetheart. Tell the truth and stick to what you tell them no matter what. The truth is the truth and they arent you friends in this matter. They are there to eliminate people because there are an abundant of applicants. I'm sure you notice when you took the written and the physical that there werent a lack of interest.