THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL RESPONSIVITY

Abstract

This investigation examined the hypothesis that Ss, regardless of psychiatric status or classification, who demonstrate less physiological (GSR) responsivity to a series of auditory stimuli will demonstrate a greater degree of depressive mood as measured by the Depression Scale of the MMPI than do Ss exhibiting greater physiological responsivity. A group of ten physiologically high responders was compared with a group of ten physiologically low responders. The difference between the groups with regard to Depression scores exceeded the usual levels of statistical significance. There was no relationship between physiological responsivity and status as a psychiatric patient.