Lie detector: how to successfully pass the test. Practical recommendations for the examined

In recent years, a lie detector or polygraph test is increasingly used in Russia.

Many departmental and commercial organizations use this method when hiring employees, recertifying and conducting internal investigations.

In private life, the lie detector is increasingly used to detect facts of adultery, in the selection of domestic staff and screening of adolescents over 14 years of age in order to identify risk factors such as drug use, alcohol use, participation in socially unapproved activities, etc.

A Brief History of the Lie Detection Method in Russia

The lie detector, or more precisely the Special Psychophysiological Study (SPFI) using a polygraph, has recently received wide distribution. The first freely available polygraphs appeared in Russia in the early 90s, already in the last century. Although for the first time the method of revealing hidden information in our country arose in the 20s of the last century, when the Soviet psychologist, the founder of domestic neuropsychology, Professor Alexander Romanovich Luria supplemented the well-known method of free associations with a special device — a monograph that objectively recorded motor the reaction of the subject to an external stimulus or, more simply, a question.

Unfortunately, in the early 30s, these experiments, like many other psychological studies in the USSR, were terminated or, more precisely, banned by the decision of the party leadership. And the scientific base developed by Russian scientists continued to develop in the United States, where it received practical application in the investigation of criminal offenses.

The revival of methods for revealing hidden information in the USSR began in 1975, when, on the initiative of the Chairman of the KGB of the USSR, Yu.V. Andropov, the 30th laboratory of the KGB of the USSR was created, which in 1994 was transformed into one of the departments of the Institute of Criminalistics of the Center for Special Equipment of the FSB of Russia. With a slight delay and also in an atmosphere of secrecy, psychophysiological studies were carried out in the system of the USSR Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Thus, the development of the psychophysiological method of revealing hidden information, or rather the veil of secrecy behind which this direction developed in Russia, contributed to the fact that — applied psychophysiology has acquired an incredible amount of speculation and rumors that turn the lie detector into a monstrous tool , with the help of which a soul is literally pulled out of a person in order to find in it all earthly vices and sins.

Important information for the subject

Lie detector test as a method of psychodiagnostics

Special Psychophysiological Examination using a polygraph does not fundamentally differ from other psychological (psychodiagnostic) tests or medical studies, for example, using an electrocardiograph.

Lie detector testing, as well as any other diagnostic methods, have the following characteristics: standardization, reliability and validity.

The technique has its own scope, its specificity and its limitations, which are inherent in any method of psychological research.

A lie detector test is a psychodiagnostic study, the same as measuring temperature with a thermometer or ECG.

Lie detector test security

Physiologically, the procedure is absolutely safe for the subject. During testing, no active influence is exerted on the subject’s body. All sensors are passive, i.e. have no effect on the body. From a physiological point of view, this study can be compared with the measurement of body temperature with a conventional medical thermometer.

Psychologically, the procedure can be a source of stress. Before and during testing, all subjects experience anxiety. Those involved are afraid of exposure. Uninvolved false accusations. Both those and others are afraid that as a result of the study, any socially unapproved actions or intentions that took place in their past will become known. In addition, the questions themselves can cause you indignation, resentment and other unpleasant emotions.

Physiologically, the polygraph examination is safe. Psychologically, it is more or less stressful. Be prepared that you may have to experience unpleasant emotions that are characteristic of every person in a similar situation. Your level of anxiety prior to the start of the test will be recorded and will not affect the results.

Voluntary polygraph examination

A polygraph examination is carried out only with your voluntary consent. No one can force you to pass the SPFI. Prior to the start of the study, the polygraph examiner must ask you to sign the Application or other document indicating your voluntary consent.

You can opt out of further testing at any time during the procedure. You are not obliged to explain the reasons for the refusal either orally or in writing.

Research can be conducted only with your voluntary consent.

Lie detector test questions

Before starting testing, the Customer and the specialist psychophysiologist are obliged to familiarize you with the topic and questions of the tests.

You can discuss these questions and clarify them. It is important that you and the specialist clearly understand these questions, and you decide for yourself how you will answer them.

During methodically correct testing, no question can be asked, except for those that have been voiced.

The questions asked may relate not only to the topic under investigation, but also to some aspects of your personality — the level of anxiety, adaptability, acceptance of social norms, self-esteem, assessment of the environment, emotionally significant memories, etc. Do not be afraid of such questions, they are necessary to obtain accurate and reliable result.

It is strictly forbidden to ask questions, except when it is due to the topic being studied, for example, checking marital fidelity, concerning:

1. your sexual inclinations.
2. Your family and loved ones.
3. Your political and religious views.

There will be no unexpected questions in the test. There may be questions that characterize you as a person. There can be no personal questions.

The position of the subject during testing

A lie detector test is a psychodiagnostic test, not an interrogation. A good polygraph examiner does not take the position of a prosecutor or a lawyer. This is a specialist who conducts a study of the presence in your memory of information about the event under investigation.

If you have nothing to hide on the topic under investigation, then you and the polygraph examiner have a common goal and you are partners helping each other in achieving this goal.

If you are involved, you cannot have a partnership with a polygraph examiner. In this case, you are competitors. Try not to show it. And in no case do not cross reasonable boundaries in a competitive struggle, forcing a specialist to take retaliatory measures. Remember, a polygraph examiner is also a person and, like any person, is subjective.

In any case, take an active polite position, ask questions, explain your reactions, remain a Personality.

The best position during the time is polite, friendly, if possible partner. Interact with a specialist. Don’t take the position of the victim.

The position of the polygraph examiner during testing

Unfortunately, as in any other profession, there are different specialists in practical psychophysiology. Moreover, some schools that train polygraph examiners, as well as the methods they develop, have a clearly accusatory bias. Therefore, I recommend paying close attention to the psychological setting of a polygraph examiner.

Particular attention should be paid to search tests, the questions of which are aimed at clarifying the specific circumstances of the event. Search test questions are formulated as if the polygraph examiner already knows for certain that you have committed the event under investigation and the meaning of the questions is to clarify the details of this event.

A simple example. Question: “Do you drink a glass of vodka every morning? / cognac? / home tincture? / moonshine?

If you told the specialist that you drink a glass of alcohol every morning, then this test is completely appropriate. If the fact of daily drinking is not proven, then it is unacceptable to use such tests.

Therefore, if by the behavior of the polygraph examiner, the meaning of his statements, questions and other signs, you feel a priori guilty, the best solution for you would be to politely refuse to undergo a check with this particular polygraph examiner and ask the Customer to replace the specialist.

The position of a good psychophysiologist is always neutral and friendly. If you are faced with an accusatory position, attempts at threats or other form of pressure, ask to replace a specialist.

Lies during a lie detector test

As I already wrote, there may be questions in the tests that you would not like to tell the truth. This is quite natural. And I’m not asking you to be honest.

Sometimes telling the truth is a very difficult and responsible decision.

The only thing I want to warn you about is that the technique cannot distinguish a minor lie from a major one. And it’s not because it’s imperfect. The reason is that for your psyche there are no such concepts as big lies and small lies, there are only concepts — lies and truth.

Your physiology reacts the same way to stealing candy from your parents’ dresser, and to stealing a million dollars from the state budget. Therefore, in the process of discussing issues with a specialist psychophysiologist, it would be better for everyone to inform him about the nuances that may be in answering a specific question. This will allow you to make the results reliable and eliminate unnecessary suspicion.

In order to clarify this important point, I will give a simple example.

Experience shows that many people have tried soft drugs at least once. This does not mean that they used or use them systematically or are dependent on drugs. Let’s say that in your experience there was a single drug use during a trip to Amsterdam. If the test asks, «Have you used drugs?» and you answer “no” to it, the device will fix the lie.

Therefore, to the question “Have you used drugs?”, I recommend giving an explanation that there was one case, during a trip to Amsterdam. This information will allow the polygraph examiner to reformulate the question as follows: «Besides one time in Amsterdam, did you use drugs?». If it really was an isolated case, then by answering “no”, you will tell the truth and the lie detector will record it. If there were other cases that you chose to keep silent about, the answer «no» will be recorded as false.

It is better to inform the specialist in advance about the presence of minor misconduct related to the topic of testing in your past experience in order to exclude their influence on the results.

Preparing for a lie detector test

If you have nothing to hide, then

1. Rest the night before the test.
2. Refrain from drinking alcohol, sedative and tonic medicines, large doses of tonic drinks.
3. No need to overeat or vice versa come with a feeling of hunger.
4. Refrain from drinking large amounts of liquids.
5. Reschedule your appointment if you are sick or not feeling well.

Behavior during polygraph testing

First of all, calm down, relax. Sit comfortably. If something bothers you or causes discomfort, immediately inform the specialist about it.

Directly during testing, try not to make unnecessary movements. Breathe in the usual rhythm. Look ahead. Answer the questions with a simple yes or no.

Before you give an answer to a question, listen to it to the end, realize its meaning. No need to try to analyze the behavior of a specialist and evaluate his reactions to your answers. This can add to your stress level and introduce bias into your results.

Between test questions, an interval of 15 seconds to several minutes is required. Be prepared for pauses between questions.

Attempts to fool the lie detector

​​​​​​​There is only one reliable way to cheat a lie detector — refuse to check.

Everything you read on the Internet or heard from your friends is not true.

You can try and maybe you will be lucky — you will be checked by an unscrupulous or illiterate polygraph examiner, unfortunately, there are many of them.

But if you come across just a good specialist, then you have no chance to deceive him.

Identified attempts to counteract are immediately recorded and become known to the Customer, who will already interpret them at his own discretion, as a rule, not in favor of the subject.

If you have something to hide on the topic of polygraph testing, then the best way to refuse the study.

In this article, I have tried to provide you with the basic information that is necessary for the successful completion of the Special Psychophysiological Examination using a polygraph or, more simply, a lie detector test.

More information can be found on my website at polygraph.club

Best regards

Psychologist, expert polygraph examiner.

Head of the «Laboratory of Psychophysiology and Lie Detection».

Dmitry Kuzovkov.