How to Beat a Lie Detector

Lie detectors (polygraphs) are instruments used to measure a person's physiological reactions during questioning. Vital signs like heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate and electro-dermal activity can fluctuate when a person is not sincere. Polygraphs are far from accurate because anxiety can cause "false positives." If you don't want to be wrongfully accused due to anxiety even when you have nothing to hide, learn what you can do to beat a lie detector.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Refuse a polygraph test if you can. Lie detector tests are not mandatory.
2. Understand that lie detection is not exact science. Many scientists call lie detection voodoo science.
3. Think of the polygraph examination as an extreme interview. Dress appropriately and try to make a good impression.
4. Answer only what you need to. "Yes" or "No" is sufficient for the most part. Do not provide additional information as this may trigger a response that will show up on the lie detector test.
5. Categorize the questions you are being asked into one of three types: relevant, irrelevant and control. A relevant question may be "Did you steal money from the employer?" "What is you name?" may be an irrelevant one. Control questions such as "Have you ever lied to your spouse?" are those against which your relevant questions are measured.
6. Increase your anxiety during the control questions by biting your tongue, counting backwards or thinking about something frightening. This can help you beat the lie detector test.

Tips & Warnings

• There may be hidden cameras or two-way mirrors in the polygraph room.
• Do not arrive late, and do not reschedule or postpone the date of the exam.
• Don't do anything you wouldn't normally do during an interview.
• Do not disclose to the examiner that you have done research on beating a lie detector.