[Skin Conductance Response] Sources Of Stress & Measuring Stress

Question 1

What measures of stress are:
-SRRS, HSUP?
-SCR, urine?

Answer 1

-Self-report.
-Physiological.

Question 2

How does the SCR work?

Answer 2

The participant has electrodes attached to their fingers, and a tiny electric current (0.5V) is applied to the electrodes.
As the person sweats more, more electricity is conducted, indicating that the person is becoming increasingly stressed.
Skin conductance level is conducted on a baseline level and in response to a stimulus.

Question 3

How did Johannson (1978) study physiological measures of stress?

Answer 3

Johannson (1978) assessed stress in the workplace in a Swedish sawmill (14 finishers, 10 cleaners). Urine samples were taken 4 times a day showed:
• the finishers’ adrenaline increased as the day went on.
• the cleaners’ adrenaline decreased as the day went on.
The physiological reports correlated with self-report questionnaires.

Question 4

Evaluation points for SCR and physiological measures of stress:

Answer 4

-Objective method: no issues of self-report in this measure of stress. Removing participant judgement is likely to produce more accurate results, allowing the experimenter to measure what they are intending to measure.
-Lack of validity: we can’t be sure that we are measuring stress levels. Caffeine, drugs and alcohol can cause the same effects, affecting readings.
-Individual differences: some people sweat more than others before and after stimulation. A baseline measure is always taken before a stimulus.