Reinforcement of spontaneous electrodermal activity.

Abstract

Contingent stimulation of spontaneous electrodermal fluctuations in human Ss [subjects] increased their frequency of occurrence relative to a noncontingent stimulation control. The effect was facilitated by, but not dependent on, pseudo-instructions to produce emotional behavior. It was independent of time trends in electrodermal level, heart rate, respiration rate, and gross skeletal activity. The similarity of this phenomenon to Sokolov''s conditioned orienting reflex is discussed.