Electrical Resistance of the Skin During Induced Emotional Stress

Abstract

The direct current technic was used in measuring the electrical skin resistance of 51 normal subjects and 154 patients with various internal diseases. Skin resistance was measured under the following circumstances: immediately after connecting subject into the circuit; after 10 min. during which time the subject was encouraged to relax; during the next 15 min. while subject answered standard questions of a non-emotional nature; during an interview in which relevant emotional material was discussed with the subject. Repeating these expts. on certain subjects showed that the type of curve was relatively constant for the same person. When the subject felt himself under tension, i.e., was consciously inhibiting discharge of emotion, the skin resistance increased. Normal subjects and the majority of patients did not become tense during the 10 min. period immediately after being attached to the apparatus. However, patients with peptic ulcer, ulcerative colitis, diabetes, essential hypertension and peripheral vascular disease tended to develop an attitude of tension in this situation and commonly showed an increase in skin resistance. The skin resistance of a subject decreased when he was given an opportunity to discharge his emotions through the discussion of an emotional problem.