Geer&Maisel: Physiological Measures

Question 1

Method?

Answer 1

• Lab experiment where pps shown photos of dead car crash victims
• stress levels measured by GSR (Galvanic skin response) and heart rate through ECG

Question 2

PPs?

Answer 2

60 undergraduates enrolled in a psychology course at a NY UNI

Question 3

Procedure?

Answer 3

Independent measures with PPs randomly assigned to 3 conditions

Question 4

Measures?

Answer 4

GSR= placing finger grips containing moisture sensors on fingers to measure sweat, quantitative

ECG heart rate monitoring machine

Question 5

Procedure in terms of measures?

Answer 5

• PP seated in a sound proofed room and wired to GSR+ECG
• each photo precede with a 10s tone+flashes for 35 seconds
• GSR taken at the onset of tone+during second half of tone+in response to photo

Question 6

Controls?

Answer 6

• baseline measurement taken

* instructions read over an intercom

Question 7

Results?

Answer 7

• ECG recordings discarded as appeared inaccurate

* Group 2 showed most stress, group 1 least

Question 8

Conclusions?

Answer 8

Having control over your environment can reduce stress responses.

Question 9

Strengths of GSR?

Answer 9

• objective so supports psychology as a science
• easy to analyse+compare
• standardised to higher reliability

Question 10

Weaknesses?

Answer 10

• reductionist
• possible unreliability as doesn’t take into account different sweat amounts in diff people
• low ecological validity
• doesn’t give reasons for stress

Question 11

Aim?

Answer 11

To see if perceived control or actual control can reduce stress reactions to averse stimuli.