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The relationship between skin conductance and self-reported stress : does the relationship exist and, if so, does it differ across different types of stressors?

LUTSCHER, D. (2016) The relationship between skin conductance and self-reported stress : does the relationship exist and, if so, does it differ across different types of stressors?

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Abstract:In current stress research it is well acknowledged that acute psychological stress activates the endocrine-, physiological-, and psychological system. However, although this homeostatic process between these systems is often assumed, literature regarding this relationship is inconsistent. We proposed that these inconsistencies may be due to a lack of differentiation between different types of stressors. Therefore, the present study examined whether a relationship between the physiological-, and psychological system exists and, if so, whether this relationship differs, depending on whether a social-, environmental-, or cognitive stressor is used. 55 students took part in an experiment where they were confronted with the Sing-a-Song-Stress Test (SSST), a Noise Test and the Beauty Contest Game (BCG) while their skin conductance response (SCR) and self-reported stress were measured. Results indicated no overall correlation between relative increase in mean amplitude SCR and difference scores of self-reported stress. The environmental stressor showed a significant correlation between these systems but this correlation did not significantly differ from the correlations of the SSST and the BCG. Therefore, it cannot be answered if the relationship between the physiological-, and psychological system exists. The study did provide evidence that this relationship does not seem to vary across different types of stressors.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology BSc (56604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/69969
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