The Truth About the Polygraph (According to the NSA)

[RipFlm]

So your whole life is dedicated to prove the polygraph wrong? NICE LIFE

[daltonjparkes]

I understand that a polygraph does not actually detect lies, but why do law enforcement agencies and some federal agencies, like the FBI, use it in the hiring process?

[AntiPolygraph]

@daltonjparkes Federal agencies value the polygraph because sometimes applicants make admissions that disqualify themselves from the hiring process. In addition, so long as the general public believes in polygraphy, a policy of polygraph screening allows agency heads to appear to be "tough on security."

[IJUSTSUBSCRIBENOW]

'Do you think that you will fail this polygraph because it's dubious science?'

Yes.

There are several issues with these tests that I can think of. Under bizarre circumstances, like false memory syndrome, people don't know what the truth is, in that situation the 'accusation in the question' will always show the person being a liar. Whether they say 'no' or 'yes' but more so with 'no'.

Then we have nerves. People might get extremely nervous when answering whether they murdered someone???

[sunaru1]

Perhaps the polygraph would be more realiable if the polygraph giver takes the test at exactly the same time. In fact, it should not be only the accused who takes the polygraph but also all witnesses and, most mortantly, the judge. The judge should be asked 'do you have a prejudiced opinion about this case'.

[thelostsoul4evr]

At first I thought he said polygamy instead of polygraphy..not used to that term.

[blazematt10]

Yea i knew that thing was bullshit I was just never completely sure

[530redshadow]

Your an inspiration, thank you! :') I take mine real soon. Wish me luck!

[ilovemyeg2sir]

9 members of the NSA saw this and disliked! LOL

[ilovemyeg2sir]

0:50 LOL

[Moreviolent]

You say they keep this information indefinately. Do you know how long a local police agency would keep the results of a polygraph test, if the test was taken at a state police office?

Do they ever throw away the hardcopy of the test that you fill out? Thanks.

[gwmaschke]

@Moreviolent I don't know how long any particular state police department maintains polygraph records. However, modern information technology makes long-term retention easy and inexpensive.

[Ruthlyn]

god typing on my ipad sucks...but anyway, i'm concerned about taking this....it's just for a county job. I'm in the military, with a security clearance....cut a sista break!

[Ruthlyn]

I have to take one today for mynj

[slask25]

Pseudo science at it's best. Typical americans though, relying on bullshit like that. Over 70% of the country believe in the invisible skydad after all. Nothing against americans but damn, you guys are fucking stupid at times.

[OneNationUnderCanada]

According 2003 academy of sciences the polygraph is pseudo science and isn't reliable. Also there are many notable spies who passed polygraphs with no problem.

[WTCnucleardemolition]

Google "Quadri-Track ZCT"

[bannedagainfromutube]

Lol. They let you keep taking the test until you pass? Why the fuck are the results different from test to test? Fucking assholes. Polygraphs are such bullshit.

[jjuusstmmee]

@AntiPolygraph Thank you for replying to my post.

[xTeenageMillionairex]

This man is an absolute fraud. Antipolygraph has a YouTube page? What next? A Twitter page? Very professional, gentlemen.

[DrGodfather14]

@xTeenageMillionairex your account is going to be monitored...how is that unprofessional? almost every professional organization has a twitter page

[WTCnucleardemolition]

Google "Quadri-Track ZCT"

[OrganicDrew]

IT'S THERE RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVE A NEGATIVE, ITS NOT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVE A POSITIVE, THIS TEST IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL WITHOUT CONSENT, AND AS SUCH IT CAN NOT BE FORCED UPON YOU AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT. REFUSE THE TEST ON CONSTITUTIONAL GROUNDS AND SUE IF THEY REFUSE TO HIRE BASED ON YOUR RIGHT TO PRIVACY.

[CanadaIndieFilm]

I wonder if I can sell my services as a Magic 8 Ball examiner for half the price? I also know a guy who lives in a box under the bridge. You can purchase his Y-shaped stick expertise for less than a quarter of the price of a polygraph examiner. Just a couple of alternatives, both backed up by the same rigid scientific standards of the polygraph.

[y2zgt]

Why is it mandatory for most applicants to police departments in the USA to take polygraph tests?

[rickrick1545]

FOR ALL THE PPL WHO QUESTION THIS GUY HERE,,,,, HIS POINT IS -- "As for polygraphy being an exact (or inexact) science, the fact of the matter is that it is not science at all." SO WHY USE IT AT ALL UNLESS YOU HAVE A TEST YOU CAN BET YOUR LIFE ON . WHY USE IT AT ALL .. I WAS READING ABOUT A TEST THAY ARE DOING WITH MRI RIGHT NOW SEEMS PROMISING

[Charlie10904]

@rickrick1545 Search the myth busters on the MRI test one of those guys beat it

[wethreestooges]

I know for a fact that they're unreliable for the simple fact that I told the truth during an examination and it said I lied. Proof enough for me.

[everett903]

@AntiPolygraph I will be taking a polygraph next week for my probation. I am nervous at the fact that my officer stresses that if i fail i will spend thirty days in jail. If this happens i will get kicked out of school and fired. I know polygraphes are not 100 percent. But i do know there are some of the questions that i would have to lie to pass like if i had a drink or left the county. Im not a bad person and i dont want to jail time for little mistakes how can i beat it?

[YaoiGirlAngelbratt]

if its entirely dependent on the human aspect then it's variable science, it won't always be accurate, but it sometimes is. The machine records variables and changes in a person but the variables would be different person to person so... on a control group of a hundred people how effective is it really?

[Orome20]

Having taken a pre-employment polygraph myself, I can attest to the fact that the polygraph is nothing more than an excuse for a coercive interrogation.

[csasba]

You are giving away all our secrets! You are a traitor and a member of the rebel alliance. Take him away!.

[Gdsoii]

[Cont. From Prev. Comm]

The polygraph derives its name from its ability to measure the changes in a persons physiology based upon their breathing, heart rate and the conductivity of their skin (sweat). It is known that as most people are socially conditioned to understand that it is wrong to lie, therefore lie poorly. When a subject does lie their physiology, in general, changes; Their body prepares to tell the lie. These are the changes the polygraph instruments are designed to pick up on.

[Gdsoii]

This guy does not know what he is talking about. He has nothing backing up any of the claims he is making and I can tell you that most of them are simply drastic hyperbole or downright lies. Furthermore, I do not recall the NSA has ever claiming the polygraph to be an exact science nor have I ever heard them refer to it by it's unfortunate, all too overused and completely inappropriate nickname the “Lie Detector.” [Continued in Next Comment]

[homersparents]

INGSOC



[DamiensCain]

The majority of the examiners are unnecessarily dickheaded.  They're the last gatekeeper to a good career and they occasionally use that knowledge to be asshats.

[AngerAbounds]

This is exactly how the poly is and in fact one of the poly examiner's in this video did my poly.

[aceofspades1217]

Very interesting video, the polygraph is not the most reliable thing for sure. However, there is always two sides to every issue. The polygraph is a good way to generally weed out undesirable people and can give some level of security to an agency like this. However, polygraphs should always be taken with a grain of salt. There is a reason that they are inadmissible in court.

However it can also be a good tool for prosecutors to get a general read on on the honesty of a person.

[MoneyIsSilver]

If this is really how the NSA screens employees than I don't see how they can be that powerful. I think a lot of the powerful image of the Federal Gov is just smoke and mirrors fed through the msm. They get a lot of money, but all bureaucrats are idiots.

[FaithfulSuspicion]

imagine what kind of testing they must do if you wanna become a mib...



[JayHyphenMichael]

lie to every single question and you should be good. lol.

[TikiTDO]

This guy appears to have a very black and white view of the world. For instance, he asserts that people are most worried about reliability of the polygraph (Which he feels strongly about), when most people do not know the first thing about it beyond a few TV episodes. Also, he seems to consider polygraphy an exact science, capable of generating exact results, when the NSA video clearly states it is not clear, even with two seasoned examiners going over it. In all, a bit too much tinfoil.

[AntiPolygraph]

@TikiTDO The reason I suggest that most people understand, deep down, that polygraphy is unreliable is that in my experience, it is very widely understood by Americans that polygraph results are generally not admissible as evidence in US courts--and for good reason.

As for polygraphy being an exact (or inexact) science, the fact of the matter is that it is not science at all. This is not a controversial topic. The only ones claiming polygraphy is science are the polygraph operators themselves.

[fashionhistorylover]

@AntiPolygraph It can be inaccurate at times but there are some people you can tell they are lying even before they take the lie detector test. On the Steve Wilkos show a woman was accusing her husband of molesting their daughter and her story made absolutely no sense.

[jjuusstmmee]

@AntiPolygraph Just wondering what exactly is your experience with the Polygraph test. I am writing a research paper for class and I've been on your website a lot for information.

[AntiPolygraph]

@jjuusstmmee You can read about AntiPolygraph(dot)org co-founder George Maschke's polygraph experience on the site's "Personal Statements" page.

[EQnaNUL1]

@TikiTDO

This site is founded by us gov. so dont go there look things up in wikipedia... all explained there!

[pissballs]

Some people have a hard time even conveying normal conversation because of anxiety. A conman can even cover his lies just like the conviction of a person who believes that their religion is the truth and completely convinced about it.

[jstraw1963]

Authorities always want you to admit things because admissions are the most frequent source of proof. Proof is very difficult otherwise.

All this said, I agree this video is not a very good critique of why polygraphs are voodoo.

[jstraw1963]

It's not up to opponents to prove the polygraph is junk, but rather its user to prove it's not. Users cannot prove it's worth anything, except as an intimidation tactic. Authorities always want you to admit things because admissions are the most frequent source of proof. Proof is very difficult otherwise.

[zero187x]

Drug testing and polygraphing are both breaches of privacy and are unconstitutional.

[EWAdams]

I would so totally fail this. Have I committed espionage? I don't know -- how is espionage defined? Post-9/11 it might be taking pictures of public buildings. Have I had secret contact with a foreign national? What's secret? If I invite an immigrant to my home for dinner and I don't tell anybody else, is that secret?

Few questions in the world have simple yes-or-no answers.

[JakeCanine]

@EWAdams Yes to this. Have you done any illegal drugs in the past 12 months? Well i did share a bit of a cigar with this one kid, and i got a bigger buzz than usual so shit maybe i did... Maybe he laced it with something... maybe it was like half tobacco half shwag..

[dohzer13]

Why do the NSA ask about porn viewing habits? Does it make them more/less desirable if they view porn?

[AntiPolygraph]

@dohzer13 It's a lead-in to questioning about whether the examinee has viewed child pornography.

[EWAdams]

@AntiPolygraph How would I know if I've viewed child pornography? I haven't seen the driver's licenses of the men and women involved. People can look either older or younger than they are.

This process seems guaranteed to weed out anybody who seriously thinks about the questions. All they want is the "expected" answer.

[AntiPolygraph]

@essmatl Good point. As you're no doubt aware, both the "directed lie" and "probable lie" techniques are variants of the so-called "control question test." But there is another polygraph technique called the relevant/irrelevant technique, and this is the standby method used by the NSA's polygraph division since the 1950s.

[telesniper2]

The purpose behind the pseudoscientific polygraph test is to intimidate the applicant during the interrogation so as to make them confess to something that can be used to blackmail the applicant.

[IonOtter]

The polygraph itself is not going to tell them whether you're lying or not.  The device is there to draw your attention away from the interviewer and focus it on the machine or your own answers. THAT gives the interviewer total freedom to OBSERVE the person and their reactions. Nobody in the NSA gives a damn about the graphs or the paper, it's the interviewer who makes the decision. Oh, and the people behind the camera/mirror.

[quelorepario]

@IonOtter You should read the training manuals for polygraph examiners. Your theory and ideas are good, but reality is plain more stupid than it should be.

[ethosflux]

What a ridicious statement "we wont share the results with your friends and family". No, I wouldn't expect them to do that. However, would they share the results with law enforcement? Absolutely, and that's what most people would honestly be afraid of.

[furytube]

Interesting how when you look into the eyes of the polygraph examiners, they all look very indifferent, lacking sympathy, and devoid of emotions. They are all as polite and professional as they can be, but you're really just a number.

[sbuttgereit]

I am on the side of AntiPolygraph in terms of their view of polygraphs being voodoo... but this video (at least a third of the way in) is useless. AntiPolygraph's occasional refutations inserted into the NSA video wouldn't convince anyone on the fence (at least by anyone capable of hearing and competently weighing the evidence.) Just saying something is junk science isn't enough and is itself merely anecdotal. My hope would have been a more reasoned refutation of the statements.

[AntiPolygraph]

@sbuttgereit It's true that the refutations here are short on detail. The the length of the NSA video left little time for commentary within YouTube's 10-minute limit. (This video goes a bit over that.) The video could have been divided into two parts, but that was generally undesirable.

But those looking for more substantive refutation of polygraphy will find it by following the links associated with this video, in particular in AntiPolygraph(dot)org's e-book, The Lie Behind the Lie Detector.

[sbuttgereit]

@AntiPolygraph I appreciate your taking time to reply to my criticism. I think if I were advising you on a future project, I would urge you not to rely on an outside piece of work to so strictly structure your message. In reality, you just didn't need that much of the NSA video... I would have much preferred to have seen a summation of their assertions and more of your message. If their source material interested me enough I could go see their video in the original.

[oscord]

Why are they so big that we have to pay attention to the spy agency hiring process? Cut their budgets. Stop USA KGB. This is embarrassing how much resources are wasted to maintain power everywhere.

[Korruptionen]

It's really only tool of interrogation. See the Bullshit episode covering this. It's like going to have your palms read.

[twistedsymphony]

I agree completely that a polygraph isn't completely reliable, it might not even work at all for certain people, and others can condition themselves to fool it. I wouldn't go as far as to call it "junk science" though. Basically they ask questions and monitor various physiological aspects of a person. It's the same as looking for a tell in a poker player, or trying to read someone's body language.

[santax123]

In almost every country this is not accepted as proof (such a test) for good reasons.

But then again, I have heared they let ordinary citizens without any knowledge about laws or a specific crime decide if someone is guilty... lol! Third world country for sure.

[crazy8john]

I think the critic might have had a bad polygraph experience. I have heard of some of the examiners chastening you a bit, but my experience was very similar to this video. The things he said about them not wanting to admit it's junk science are just plain false. My examiner actually said straight up "there's a reason it can't be used in a court of law".

[StevenLHess]

@crazy8john

Yes the reason is it's junk science, plain voodoo.

[kaptinkle]

If someone asks you to take a polygraph, tell em to shove it sideways up their rear passage. Easy. Polygraphs are evil and it should be a human right to not to have to take one. I just think 1984 when i watch this.

[dkone10101]

He never makes any real points about why it is 'junk science'. I would say this video is very bad and does not make its case.

[wealthychef]

@dkone10101 Well, he does make one solid point in the video, that they ask you to come back a second time if you fail -- why do that if the test is reliable? But the science is something you should go to their website and check it out. You cannot tell whether someone is lying by hooking a machine up to them, plain and simple.

[dkone10101]

@wealthychef Oh, I completely agree, I am just saying that this video does not do a great job of making that point.

[AntiPolygraph]

@dkone10101 Your critique is cogent, There's more I would have liked to have said in the limited time available, and because the NSA didn't make any claims regarding the validity of polygraphy, I didn't focus on why it's junk science.

Bottom line: the indices measured by the polygraph instrument have not been demonstrated to be associated in any systematic way with deception in humans. For a thorough refutation of polygraphy, see The Lie Behind the Lie Detector (in the links for this video).

[thedbp]

@barrinmw So, how long have you worked for the Feds?

[barrinmw]

@thedbp Didn't you know? Everybody but you works for the Feds, in fact, everything is just a giant conspiracy about you.

[saxrider]

If this isn't pseudo science, then we should immediately mandate by law to administer a polygraph to every member of congress, the senate, the federal courts, and the executive branch. "Have you ever cheated on your spouse", "Have you ever accepted money inappropriately for your office", "Have you ever had sex with an animal", "Have you ever lied to the American people", "Do you have dual loyalties with another country" ....the list goes on. Bring it on bitches.

[puellanivis]

It's less a "doesn't want you to know" but rather, "they don't want to tell you, because it would make you less likely to tell the truth."

The whole purpose of the polygraph is just like all lie detectors... to convince the individual that the examiner CAN tell if you're lying, so that you won't lie and risk it.

[StevenLHess]

Polygraph exams are voodoo sessions. There is no basis for considering the results as facts. I want no job that would require me to take one.

[barrinmw]

@StevenLHess Then don't worry, cause every job that requires them is completely voluntary and there are plenty of people who want those jobs enough that they don't care.

[StevenLHess]

@barrinmw

The problem is of course that these pinheads would be happy to make it a requirement for all jobs. It's junk science and has no place in any employment situation anywhere.

[barrinmw]

@StevenLHess These pinheads? Just cause somebody would like to make something a requirement for everybody doesn't mean it will end up that way. I am sure there are plenty of people who think that every job should have a background check yet you don't see every job requiring those.

[StevenLHess]

@barrinmw

Enjoy your police state administered by the incompetent and unqualified then.

[barrinmw]

@StevenLHess Why would I be worried about an incompetent and unqualified police state? You would think as a citizen of a police state, you would prefer them to be both those things.

[Aaron518]

That whole QC process seems like a sham. I don't see how it can be any less bias than the original exam. The real QC need to be on the polygraph,not the end result. Proper QC would be if it actually was accurate in telling if something was a lie or the truth,not if the examiner read the chart correctly.That's what real QUALITY results would be.

[barrinmw]

@Aaron518 The quality control guy is unbiased, he is not shown who was polygraphed or what questions were asked. He just says, the response to the question at time blah was true or false. True quality control is kept as unbiased as possible.