GALVANIC SKIN REFLEX AND BLOOD PRESSURE REACTIONS IN PSYCHOTIC STATES

Abstract

In a study of reaction tendencies relating to psychopathology, patients manifesting certain psychotic mechanisms have been found to differ from normal persons and from one another in prevailing electrical skin resistance levels and in physiologic reactions to certain stimuli. Outstanding among the differences due to stimulation are those occasioned by: (1) relatively simple sensory excitations, such as sudden noises; (2) indifferent ideational stimuli consisting of words or questions, and (3) words or questions which according to the case history might be judged to have "crucial" significance for the patient. The differences have appeared sufficiently significant to justify presentation of the available data in fifty cases. Complete statistical analysis will be deferred until a second series of investigations, now in progress, is completed. METHODS The test situation employed¹ is calculated to elicit behaviorinvolving peripheral orientation to minor sensory stimuli, anticipation or anxiety, reaction to stimulation, recovery after reaction, summation of