Stress and Skin Conductance

The correct answer is: The level of moisture on the surface of a person's skin increases, and skin conductivity increases.

Skin conductance, also known as electrodermal activity (EDA), is a well-established physiological measure of stress and arousal. It works on the principle that when a person experiences stress, the sympathetic nervous system is activated. This activation triggers a cascade of physiological responses, including increased sweating.

Here's how it relates to skin conductance:

* Sweat Glands: The sympathetic nervous system stimulates the eccrine sweat glands, which are particularly concentrated on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. * Electrolytes: Sweat contains electrolytes, which are substances that conduct electricity when dissolved in water. * Increased Conductivity: As sweat is released onto the skin's surface, the moisture level increases, and so does the concentration of electrolytes. This, in turn, increases the skin's ability to conduct electricity.

Therefore, when a person is stressed, their skin conductance level rises due to the increased sweat production and its effect on the electrical conductivity of the skin. This response is often used in research and clinical settings to objectively assess stress levels.

Measuring Skin Conductance

Skin conductance is typically measured using a device called a skin conductance response (SCR) sensor or a galvanic skin response (GSR) sensor. These sensors are placed on the fingertips or palms and work by passing a very small, imperceptible electrical current through the skin. The device then measures how easily the current passes through the skin, which reflects the level of sweat present.

Applications of Skin Conductance in Psychology

Skin conductance is a valuable tool in psychological research and practice because it provides an objective measure of stress and arousal. Some common applications include:

* Lie Detection: Polygraph tests utilize skin conductance, among other physiological measures, to assess deception. * Emotion Research: Researchers use skin conductance to study emotional responses to various stimuli, such as images, sounds, or social interactions. * Clinical Assessment: Skin conductance can be used to assess stress levels in individuals with anxiety disorders, PTSD, and other mental health conditions. * Biofeedback: Skin conductance biofeedback is a technique that allows individuals to become aware of their own stress responses and learn to control them through relaxation techniques.

Conclusion

Skin conductance is a reliable physiological indicator of stress. The increase in skin conductivity occurs due to the heightened activity of the sympathetic nervous system, triggering increased sweat production and, consequently, a rise in the electrolytes present on the skin's surface. This measure is widely utilized in various fields of psychology to objectively assess and understand stress responses in humans.