True about Galvanic Skin Response: (PGI June 2009)
Ans: A. (Indicator of thermal sweating); B. ( | by sweating because of sweat has electrolytes (?)) & C. (Fall when sympathetic activity is high) Yoga- increases Galvanic Skin Response (GSR)Galvanic Skin Response or Eiectrodermal Response (EDR), Psychogalvanic Reflex (PGR), or Skin conductance response (SCR)It is measure of electrical resistance as a reflection of changes in emotional arousal, taken by attaching electrodes to any part of the skin and recording changes in moment-to- moment perspiration and related activity of the autonomic nervous system.The response appears as an increase in the electrical conductance of the skin (a decrease in resistance) across the palms of the hands or soles ofthe feet. It appears about two seconds after stimulation, as by a pinprick or threat of injury; it rises to a maximum after two to ten seconds and subsides at about the same rateDue to the response of the skin and muscle tissue to external and internal stimuli, the resistance can vary. When correctly calibrated, the GSR can measure these subtle differences. There is a relationship between sympathetic activity1 and emotional arousal, although one cannot identify the specific emotion being elicited. The GSR is highly sensitive to emotions in some people. Fear, anger, startle response, orienting response and sexual feelings are all among the emotions which may produce similar GSR responses. These reactions have allowed lie detectors to have some successYoga- increases Galvanic Skin Response (GSR)QUse of Galvanic Skin ResponseGSR measurement is one component of polygraph devices and is used in scientific research of emotional arousal.The E-meter, which is used by the Church of Scientology, is a GSR measurement device.GSR measurement is also becoming commonplace in hypnotherapy and psychotherapy practice where it can be used as a method of detecting depth of hypnotic trance prior to suggestion therapy commencing. When traumatic material is experienced by the client (for example, during hypnoanalysis), immediate changes in galvanic skin response can indicate that the client is experiencing emotional arousal. It is also used in behavior therapy to measure physiological reactions such as fear.The most well-known use for measuring this response is as a part of a polygraph or "lie detector" test. The reaction of the body is measurable by this and many other parameters, when a person tells a lie. Knowingly stating a falsehood is, in a physiological sense, stressful and unnatural, A change in the electrical conductivity ofthe skin, as well as changes in breathing, heartbeat, and perspiration, is one of the body's responses to the stress of lying.# Measuring the galvanic skin response can also be an important element of certain psychotherapy treatments, as well as behavioral therapy. Research studies involving stress and anxiety levels have also been carried out with attention to this response.
Indicator of thermal sweating
| by sweating because of sweat has electrolytes
Fall when sympathetic activity is high
Fall is associated with yogic practice
General