Skin Conductance Response

Question 1

What happens in a skin conductance test?

Answer 1

Electrodes are attached to the index and middle fingers of one hand. A tiny current is applied to the electrodes to measure how much electricity is being conducted. Individuals who are stressed have a higher SCR

Question 2

Why is sweat used in a SCR?

Answer 2

When we experience stress, it activates a fight or flight response. One of the consequences of this is that we sweat more and this can be detected by our hands

Question 3

When is a SCR gained?

Answer 3

After something happens e.g shown an image

Question 4

What makes up the polygraph?

Answer 4

Heart rate, respiration, blood pressure and SCR

Question 5

What are two strengths or a SCR?

Answer 5

• it has practical applications so can achieve healthier stress levels
• takes into account that different people have different patterns of skin conductance which is why a baseline is taken to compare it to

Question 6

What are two limitations of SCR?

Answer 6

• failure to take into account these difference between participants threatens the validity of research studies using SCRs to measure stress
• affected by external factors such as temp and humidity or internal factors such as medication and alcohol which can then lead to inconsistent readings