Word: cormack
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...another occasion, G.P.C.'s psychologist Alan Strand and polygraphist Robert Cormack delved into the character and past of a suburban fireman who had been on the force for several years. He now wanted to transfer to the fire department in another town. They learned that he was an arsonist who had already set several fires...
This month Strand and Cormack interviewed a man of 22, a candidate for a police force, who admitted to robbery, selling narcotics, shoplifting, vandalism and regular use of marijuana and pep pills. Asked, "How would you rate yourself in terms of honesty?", he replied, "Above average," and commented: "I get self-satisfaction when I'm being honest...
Sour Cream. These cases are typical of the 10% to 15% who are outright criminals among the 5,000 applicants for police and fire work interviewed in five years by G.P.C. Those percentages seem remarkably high, but even more startling, Strand and Cormack have found that almost 50% of the applicants they screen are psychologically unsuited for the jobs they seek. Analysis of 400 candidates recently rejected by the consultants showed that about 25% were turned down for emotional immaturity, almost as many for general instability, almost 20% as thrill seekers, and 9% for tendencies toward brutality. Virtually all these...
Frank Answer. A candidate's day at G.P.C. begins with interviews on general background, which are designed also to get information about trustworthiness. Strand and Cormack have recently added the Dektor Psychological Stress Evaluator (TIME, June 19) to their battery of tests. The day ends with a polygraph session. "After this," says Strand, "they feel that they've been through the mill...
Used separately, Strand and Cormack agree, either psychological or polygraphic testing is only 60% to 65% accurate; but the two combined score about 95%. The lie-detector test at the end of the evaluation is seen as a threat, and encourages applicants to tell the truth in the written examinations; the psychologist's oral probing reveals sensitive spots on which Polygraphist Cormack can concentrate. Significantly, most police departments use only one of the methods in their own screening...