electrodermal response
A scientist measures a patient's electrodermal response during an experiment.
Noun: A physiological change in the electrical properties of the skin, specifically its resistance or the generation of weak electrical currents, that occurs in response to emotional or psychological stimuli such as stress or anxiety. It is a measurable indicator of autonomic nervous system arousal.
The term "electrodermal response" is used primarily in scientific, medical, and psychological contexts to describe a specific, quantifiable bodily reaction. It functions as a singular noun phrase. * The researcher recorded the subject's electrodermal response during the stressful interview. * A heightened electrodermal response is often correlated with increased emotional arousal. * The polygraph test monitors several signals, including the electrodermal response.
- As a measured variable: In psychophysiology, the electrodermal response is a key dependent variable for studying attention, emotion, and conditioning.
- The amplitude of the electrodermal response was significantly greater for the threatening stimuli.
- In clinical assessment: It can be used as an objective measure in research on anxiety disorders, phobias, or the effectiveness of biofeedback.
- The therapy aimed to reduce the patient's exaggerated electrodermal response to specific triggers.
- Galvanic Skin Response (GSR): A synonymous term frequently used in older literature and some applied settings like lie detection. It refers to the same phenomenon.
- Skin Conductance Response (SCR): A more modern and precise synonym that focuses on the skin's ability to conduct electricity, which increases during the response.
- Psychogalvanic Reflex: An older, less common term.
- Electrodermal Activity (EDA): A broader term that encompasses both the specific phasic electrodermal responses and the slower, tonic level of skin conductance.
- Galvanic Skin Response (GSR)
- Skin Conductance Response (SCR)
- Psychogalvanic Reflex
- Autonomic Arousal: The general state of activation of the autonomic nervous system, of which the electrodermal response is an index.
- Sympathetic Nervous System: The branch of the autonomic nervous system responsible for activating the "fight-or-flight" response, which directly drives the electrodermal response.
- Biofeedback: A therapeutic technique where individuals learn to control physiological processes like the electrodermal response.
A scientist measures a patient's electrodermal response during an experiment.
- a change in the electrical properties of the skin in response to stress or anxiety; can be measured either by recording the electrical resistance of the skin or by recording weak currents generated by the body