CPE Question Formulation 2

Question 1

In a polygraph examination, a 'sacrifice relevant' question is used primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Reduce the impact of an orienting response to the first relevant question

Answer

A sacrifice relevant question absorbs the heightened orienting response that typically occurs at the start of a series, so that subsequent relevant questions yield cleaner data.

Question 2

Which characteristic is MOST important when constructing a comparison question for a Directed Lie Test (DLT)?

Accepted Answer

The examinee must be instructed to lie when answering it

Answer

In a DLT, the examiner instructs the subject to deliberately lie on the comparison question, providing a known-lie physiological standard for comparison.

Question 3

A relevant question that asks 'Did you steal any money from your employer at any time during the past ten years?' is problematic because it:

Accepted Answer

Covers an excessively broad time frame that may introduce extraneous concerns

Answer

Overly broad time references can trigger anxiety in innocent examinees who worry about forgotten minor infractions, reducing diagnostic accuracy.

Question 4

During question review, the examinee denies involvement in the relevant issue. How should the examiner handle this information?

Accepted Answer

Adjust the relevant questions to reflect the denial and strengthen their specificity

Answer

Refining question wording based on the examinee's pre-test statements increases question clarity and ensures the subject fully understands what is being asked.

Question 5

The term 'outside issue' in polygraph question formulation refers to:

Accepted Answer

A concern unrelated to the examination issue that may contaminate physiological responses

Answer

Outside issues are personal concerns (health worries, relationship stress) that can produce physiological reactivity unrelated to the examination target, distorting results.

(CPE) Certified Polygraph Examiner Practice Test

(CPE) Certified Polygraph Examiner Practice Test

CPE Question Formulation 2