Sedation Threshold, Autonomic Lability and the Excitation-Inhibition Theory of Personality

Abstract

In a previous paper (Claridge and Herrington, 1960) it was demonstrated that by using a modified version of the sedation threshold technique, originally described by Shagass (1954), it was possible to differentiate neurotics diagnosed as hysterics and those diagnosed as anxiety states (dysthymics). In keeping with Eysenck's theory of neurosis (1955) and drug action (1957), it was found that dysthymics had significantly higher thresholds for sodium amylobarbitone than hysterics. In addition, supporting the earlier findings of Claridge (1960) and again Eysenck's theory of personality, dysthymics were found to have significantly longer visual aftereffects to a rotating spiral than did hysterics.