Does the Electrodermal System “Take Sides” When It Comes to Emotions?

Abstract

Traditionally, electrodermal research measurements were taken from the non-dominant hand. This was considered a valid measurement of arousal for the whole body. Some, however argue for a complex and asynchronous electrodermal system in terms of lateral and dermatome differences in emotional responding. The present study measured skin conductance responses to emotionally laden musical stimuli from the left and right index and middle fingers, as well as the left and right plantar surface of right handed participants (N = 39). The 7-s musical segments conveyed four emotional categories: fear, sadness, happiness and peacefulness. Our results suggest, that the electrodermal system responds to emotional musical stimuli in a lateralized manner on the palmar surfaces. Fear, sadness and peacefulness prompted right hand dominance while happiness elicited left hand dominant response. Lateralization of the palmar and plantar surfaces differed significantly. Moreover, an association between lateralization of the electrodermal system in response to fear and state anxiety was found. Results of the present study suggest that the electrodermal system displays lateral preferences, reacting with varying degree of intensity to different emotions. Apart from lateral differences, music induced emotions show dermatome differences as well. These findings fit well with Multiple Arousal Theory, and prompt for revaluating the notion of uniform electrodermal arousal.

An Investigation on Bilateral Asymmetry in Electrodermal Activity

“…While these commentaries were in general positive toward the concept of multiple arousal theory, the need for more systematic research including testable and falsifiable predictions has been voiced (Richter, 2016). In a recent study by Kasos et al (2018), laterality of EDA was found due to emotions induced by music, in particular for palmar EDA during states of fear and sadness, supporting the Multiple Arousal Theory. The main objective of this study was to investigate whether EDA bilateral asymmetry could be reproduced in a laboratory setting using a paradigm that resembled Picard’s “high-stake” situation.…”

“…Our paradigm however, was not socially salient and future research should therefore consider to include socially elicited stressful situations, such as the highly standardized and well-established Trier Social Stress Test (Kirschbaum et al, 1993). In Kasos et al (2018), significant lateralization of EDA was found due to emotions of fear and sadness induced by music. In addition to the difference in the test paradigm and emotional states compared to our study, Kasos et al (2018) analyzed single EDA responses to short specific stimuli (7s music excerpts) while our study compared EDA levels over longer time durations, similar to the Picard et al (2016) study.…”

Bilateral comparison of traditional and alternate electrodermal measurement sites

“…Breathing instructions are commonly used in psychophysiological research to elicit electrodermal responses (Blain, Mihailidis, & Chau, 2008;Edelberg, 1967;Hygge & Hugdahl, 1985;Rickles & Day, 1968;Rittweger, Lambertz, & Langhorst, 1997). The musical segments used in this study have been extensively evaluated and widely used to elicit emotions in laboratory studies (Kasos, Zimonyi, et al, 2018;Khalfa, Isabelle, Jean-Pierre, & Manon, 2002;Peretz, Gagnon, & Bouchard, 1998;Vieillard et al, 2008). Neutral tones of differing length, pitch, and intensity are also commonly used to study skin conductance orientation responses (Kasos, Zimonyi, et al, 2018;Kekecs, Szekely, & Varga, 2016;Mueller-pfeiffer et al, 2014;Weger, Meier, Robinson, & Inhoff, 2007;Zuckerman & Neary, 1976).…”

“…The musical segments used in this study have been extensively evaluated and widely used to elicit emotions in laboratory studies (Kasos, Zimonyi, et al, 2018;Khalfa, Isabelle, Jean-Pierre, & Manon, 2002;Peretz, Gagnon, & Bouchard, 1998;Vieillard et al, 2008). Neutral tones of differing length, pitch, and intensity are also commonly used to study skin conductance orientation responses (Kasos, Zimonyi, et al, 2018;Kekecs, Szekely, & Varga, 2016;Mueller-pfeiffer et al, 2014;Weger, Meier, Robinson, & Inhoff, 2007;Zuckerman & Neary, 1976). The music used in experiment 2 (Online Appendix 2) was meticulously validated for the emotions induced and the persistence of the induced emotions (Ribeiro, Santos, Albuquerque, & Oliveira-Silva, 2019).…”

Electrodermal activity patient simulator

“…On the other hand, monitoring of EDA in real-life conditions outside laboratory provides a more ecologically valid setting, but is much more burdened by environmental conditions, moving artefacts, dynamic errors etc. [5,6].…”