Geer and Maisel (1972) : Lack of control as a cause of stress Flashcards
What is the aim?
To see if perceived control or actual control can reduce stress reactions to averse stimuli.
Whats the method?
Lab experiment
pps shown photos of dead car crash victims
stress levels measured
how were their stress levels measured ?
GSR( galvanic skin response) + heart rate through ecg machiene
how many pps?
60 undergrads in a psychology course at a new york uni
what’s the procedure?
independent measures design
pps randomly assigned to 3 conditions
what did group 1 have to do ?
given control - over how long they saw images for
could press a button to terminate image
told a tone would precede each new image
what did group 2 have to do ?
warned each photo would be 60 seconds apart
see pic for 35 seconds
10 second warning tone would proceede each pic
group had no control but knew what was happening
what did group 3 have to do ?
were told that from time to time they woul;d see photos and hear tones
no timings or control given
least control
what was the setting the pp’s were in like?
seated in a soundproofed room
wired up to a gsr and ecg machiene
machine calibrated for 5 mins while pp’s relaxed amd baseline measures taken
instructions read over an intercom
gsr was taken at the onset of the tone and during the second half of the tone and in response to the pic
Whats the results?
ecg recordings were discarded as they appeared inaccurate
group 2 showed the most stress
group 1 showed the least stress
what was concluded ?
having control over your environment can reduce stress responses
