Consistency of individual differences in non-specific electrodermal activity. 1979

J G O'Gorman, and C Horneman

The study sought to determine whether, as implied by a trait interpretation of individual differences in non-specific electrodermal responding, the frequency of NSRs is a consistent characteristic of subjects across conditions. 40 male subjects completed two 1-hour sessions spaced at an interval of 2 weeks. In each session, three 12-min conditions were administered: relaxation, vigilance, and mental arithmetic. Continuous recordings were made throughout each condition of electrodermal and respiratory activity, and at the end of each condition subjects completed an Adjective Checklist (ACL). Counts were made of the total number of 10-sec intervals during each condition in which at least one NSR was recorded. Separate counts were made for large amplitude (equal to or greater than 1% of baseline) and for small amplitude (less than 1%) responses. Analyses of variance performed on the NSR data indicated that the major component of variance was that due to subjects, and that the interactions between subjects and conditions and subjects and sessions, which would contradict a trait interpretation, were negligible. Consistency in subject's responding was estimated by intraclass correlations across conditions and sessions. For NSR large, the coefficient was 0.58 and for NSR small 0.50. The data were interpreted as support for a trait interpretation of NSR frequency.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007206 Individuality Those psychological characteristics which differentiate individuals from one another. Individual Differences,Difference, Individual,Differences, Individual,Individual Difference
D008297 Male Males
D009126 Muscle Relaxation That phase of a muscle twitch during which a muscle returns to a resting position. Muscle Relaxations,Relaxation, Muscle,Relaxations, Muscle
D003071 Cognition Intellectual or mental process whereby an organism obtains knowledge. Cognitive Function,Cognitions,Cognitive Functions,Function, Cognitive,Functions, Cognitive
D005712 Galvanic Skin Response A change in electrical resistance of the skin, occurring in emotion and in certain other conditions. Electric Conductance, Skin,Electrodermal Response,Reflex, Psychogalvanic,Skin Electric Conductance,Conductance, Skin Electric,Conductances, Skin Electric,Electric Conductances, Skin,Electrodermal Responses,Galvanic Skin Responses,Psychogalvanic Reflex,Response, Electrodermal,Response, Galvanic Skin,Responses, Electrodermal,Responses, Galvanic Skin,Skin Response, Galvanic,Skin Responses, Galvanic
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001288 Attention Focusing on certain aspects of current experience to the exclusion of others. It is the act of heeding or taking notice or concentrating. Focus of Attention,Selective Attention,Social Attention,Attention Focus,Attention, Selective,Attention, Social,Selective Attentions
D013997 Time Factors Elements of limited time intervals, contributing to particular results or situations. Time Series,Factor, Time,Time Factor

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