Can you beat a polygraph exam with anxiety?

Answer by  jennie (77)

I would think that would be the best way to fail a polygraph exam. You try to stay calm at all times. Remember the tester is trained to make you nervous, and this will make you fail everytime. Take deep relaxing breaths and that should keep you calm and pass the test with flying colors.

Answer by  frank (279)

The key to beat a polygraph test is to have the identical response with the same hearbeat and blood pressure to every question. So if you have a constant axiety issue that would apply to every question then it would be difficult for the examiner to determine a "normal" response to benchmark the other responses.

Answer by  aearthdragon (471)

No. Polygraph test measure the anxiety created in most people by lying. Making yourself even more scared you create false positives. Meaning even if you're telling the truth; the test doesn't think you are. The calm liars has the best shot of passing this kind of lie detection test.

Answer by  steve41 (37)

Polygraph is not a proven science. It is not acceptable in court. It is too bad that law enforcement uses it at all, since the results are worthless. Hopefully policies will change and the polygraph test will slowly be done away with, unless of course science proves it to be a valid technique.

Answer by  Anonymous

I think the question isn't being read correctly. I am pretty sure the person meant: can a polygraph test show a false positive when you have chronic anxiety?