EDA Flashcards
What is EDA and how it occurs
Its the electrical activity of the skin, measures subject SC e.g. Sweat gland activity
Combined changes between electrodermal resistance and electrodermal potential make up EDA
It taps into cog and emo behaviour we dont have control over (e.g. novelty, threat)
What are the 3 layers of the skin and purpose
- Epidermis (outer protective layer)
- Dermis (cushions body from stress/strain, nerves, blood vessels)
- Hyperdermis (anchor to bones/muscles, blood, root)
What are the two types of sweat glands
- Apocrine glands (not sensitive to psyc factors e.g. genitals)
- Eccrine glands (sensitive to psyc factors, all over body e.g. palms
How did Fere and Taranchoff measure EDA
Fere: Measured changes in current flow using an external imposed voltage (used today)
Taranchoff: Measured natural changes in skin potential from one spot to another as we have natural electricity potentials
What is the tonic measure (is it SCL or SCR)
Its the skin conductance level (SCL) and its a long lasting stable measure of SC, state of the subjects arousal (minutes)
What is the phasic measure
Its the skin conductance response (SCR). These responses are momentary and quick changes in SC, related to specific event of stimuli (sec)
EDA is a useful index of changes in symp arousal linked to emo and cog states why?
Bc its the only autonomic psychisio variable not contamined by parasymp activity
What is a phasic response application of EDA (OR)
- SCR used to measure OR
- OR= Habituation, MSE, neuronal model, enhances perception of new/changing stimuli (adaptive)
- 3 determinants of OR mag:
1. Novelty
2. Intensity
3. significance
What is another phasic response application of EDA (DOD)
Detection of deception
- Get a increase SCR to direct emo relevant questions
- OR reflects guilty knowledge
e. g. Guilty knowledge test- use multiple Q and get physio response if know answer
What is another phasic response application of EDA (TD)
Theory development especially on OR
e.g. Tested MSE and found not all subjects get it so maybe its related to significance of stimuli to person
What is a tonic response application of EDA (AvsV)
Shows Arousal and Vigilance are 2 diff mechanisms measured differently
E.g. Elite pistol shooter study= SC and HR lowered at time of shot for experts
SC= reflects general arousal performance
HR= vigilance that will enhance perofrmance
What is another tonic response application of EDA (AvsA)
Shows that arousal and activation are 2 diff processes and use SCR to look at them
Arousal= no effect on performance but predicted larger OR
Larger activation= Faster RT but no effect on OR
Higher SCL= Faster RT
How is EDA a measure of STM
Increase in SC and HR in STM task = better performance
Increase EDA= Better learning
What are the two theories of EDA and explain them
- Info processing model- Get Or when stimulus not matched in STM
So you search in LTM for it and this cog effort leads to the registration of new stimulus in LTM, then get habituation bc there is a match in memory now - OR Theory- Sokolovs neuronal model/ stimulus comparator model
Alerts us to changes in our sensory enviro
When intense get DR
What else in general can EDA be used for? (R, NvsC, T)
Identify how humans respond emotionally to various stimuli and these responses are affected by properties (colour, shape), personality, social expectations, learning history etc.
Compare populations e.g. arousal using SCL in ADHD vs controls
Treatment- e.g. measure changes in response after treatment e.g. phobias
