Galvanic skin response

From Psy3241

The skin is a conductor of electricity. When there is an interaction between a person's environment and their physiological state a small electrical current moves through the body. This is called an electrodermal response (EDR). Galvanic skin response is one way of measuring these EDRs. Either skin resistance or skin conductance can be the measured variable.

When measuring GSR, a steady stream of low level voltage is applied to the individual's skin. This constant stream of voltage is undetectable and acts as a baseline. This baseline is identified as tonic skin conductance. When an environmental event occurs that occasions a reactioin a spike of energy appears on the display. This spike is called phasic skin conductance. Subtract the base line from this and you have the individuals GSR in microSiemens.


gsr.jpg Img2.gif


Cole, Pamela M, Zahn-Waxler, Carolyn, Fox, Nathan A, Usher, Barbara A, Welsh, Jean D. (1996). Individual differences in emotion regulation and behavior problems in preschool children. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 105(4), 518-529.

ref:[www.iworx.com/LabExercises/lockedexercises/LockedGSRANL.pdf Chapter 8: Psychophysiology]

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