People often want to know whether nerves can really have any effect on the Lie Detector Test and may affect the outcomes. However, the straightforward answer to this question is no. You need to understand the process of a lie detector to know the reason.
What is the working principle of a lie detector?
In general, when people tell a lie, it affects his/her mental state and there is some specific change in the physical and mental state of the individual. It may make your breath faster or increase your blood pressure level or causes you to perspire heavily. The lie detector detects and measures these changes to identify a lie. When you tell a white lie the machine puts a blip and that serves as your signature for a lie.
First of all, a Lie Detector Test is taken in a good controlled as well as a neutral setting with very little distractions or interruptions as far as possible. It is not taken in a home setting or any other place to be able to make an effort to put the individual involved comfortable and relaxed. Then also there exists a consultation period before you get down to the main questions where you are asked the questions of importance. During this preparation time, all the possible efforts are made to make you relaxed and be at ease.
Finally, there are also a number of control questions which might be asked between the main questions to judge your general state of mind and demeanor. The condition is taken as the mean therefore when the important questions of the Lie Detector Test arrive you remain in the same state of mind.
Is there a possibility of failing the lie detector test when you are nervous?
The lie detector test takes note of the physical responses which may include the heart rate or the breathing. Thus, provided that your feelings and emotions do not induce a direct physical response, there should be no problem with the test. Theoretically, nervousness may possibly cause you to be unsuccessful in a lie detector test, yet a polygraph specialist will surely understand your state of mind and disregard the nervousness factor.
Whether certain medication can affect or alter the lie detector test result?
As already mentioned a lie detector test quantifies your emotional and physical responses when asked about specific things (roughly 10 questions already fixed before the test). Certain drugs may possibly impact the test, but generally with an inconclusive outcome. Usually, any drug that may have an effect on the nervous system tends to change the measured responses of the test.
Is a lie detector test accurate enough?
The lie detector test is in general quite accurate. However, according to experts, it is not a foolproof test. It can be safely concluded that the test is about 90% accurate in most cases. Many critics of the test argued that its accuracy is only about 70%.
Is there a possible mean of beating the lie detector?
It is not a very easy job to beat a lie detector or polygraph test. But it is of course not impossible. There is a 10% chance of changing the results of a lie detector machine by controlling the emotional and physical stress during telling a lie. You can tell a genuine lie while daydreaming about some relaxing atmosphere to keep your nerves calm. The lie detector may still sense a change, but that will not be a drastic one.
