Some Relationships Among Various “Dimensions” of Autonomic Activity

Abstract

From a study of 42 male undergraduates, correlations were obtained among the following dimensions of autonomic activity: balance, tension, lability, and fluctuations, employing palmar skin resistance activity for the latter three concepts. Additional indices included reaction time, per cent-time alpha, and alpha recovery time. Correlations were generally small, but eight attained statistical significance, and it was judged that there was not enough independence among the dimensions to warrant their separate consideration. A warning against generalizing to the entire ANS from skin resistance data was offered, and provisional similarities and differences between Lacey's earlier findings and the results of the present study were noted.