Electrical Skin Resistance in Normal and in Psychotic Subjects

Electrodermal activity as an index of arousal in schizophrenics.

“…Investigations utilizing psychologically stressful conditions revealed similar results. Thus, Syz (1926) and Syz and Kinder (1928) reported 21% and &% more spontaneous fluctuation activity in paranoid and catatonic patients, respectively, than in controls during periods of listening to emotionally provoking words. No response to words was required.…”

Electrodermal activity in schizophrenics: Further considerations.

“…However, there appears to be adequate evidence of (a) lessened reactivity for certain subgroups of schizophrenics, with a tendency for the lowest responsiveness to be found among the stuporous catatonics or the quite "demented" patients; and there is evidence of (b) increase in electrodermal reactivity toward a more normal level accompanying clinical improvement in patients previously having very low reactivity. Although not detailed above, both sets of findings have parallels in the data on skin conductance level, measured either at rest or during a variety of stimulus situations (Gruzelier & Venables, 1972;Syz, 1926;Syz & Kinder, 1928;Westburgh, 1929).…”

“…In fact, at least one stuporous catatonic did not even show responses to a pin prick or the sound of an auto horn. Similarly, Syz and Kinder (1928) reported that their stuporous catatonics gave abnormally few specific skin conductance responses to the same set of verbal and physical stimuli previously used by Syz (1926). Westburgh (1929) reported smaller skin conductance responses to a list of "neutral" and "emotionally charged" words for his sample of schizophrenics than for his normal individuals, with catatonics showing the smallest responses.…”

“…Fourth, all references to skin conductance imply palmar conductance. Space does not permit discussion of the relevant data on dorsal conductance (Richter, 1928;Syz & Kinder, 1928).…”

“…To begin, several studies indicate lower than normal skin conductance level prior to stimulation for various groups of schizophrenics (Freeman & Rodnick, 1940;Goldstein & Acker, 1967;Jurko, Jost, & Hill, 1952;Syz, 1926;' Westburgh, 1929). Also, Syz and Kinder (1928) found abnormally low increases in skin conductance level for their samples of catatonic and paranoid schizophrenics during a long series of "emotional" verbal stimuli. Similarly, Jurko et al (1952) found that the skin conductance level of a group of paranoid schizophrenics remained below that of normals in a study involving presentation of a set of pictures depicting frustrating situations.…”