Psycho-Endocrine Effects of Perceptual and Social Isolation

Sex Differences in Stress Responses to Total and Partial Sensory Deprivation

“…Some evidence of greater arousal in the SD condition was found with hormone measures of adrenal response (17-KGS and 17-KS) and anterior pituitary response (thyroid-stimulating hormone), as well as greater increases in the anxiety measure on the AACL. However, the latest study, 25 in which the 2 sessions were extended to 24 hr. and subjects also collected urine samples on an unconfined day, is leading us to the conclusion that the hormone arousal effects are as much a function of the general conditions of social isolation and confinement as of the sensory deprivation.…”

2 Methodological Considerations in Psychoendocrine Research

“…This mechanism as an alternative to or combined with the process of habituation, may explain the gradual decline in psychoendocrine response on repeated stimulation (cf. Rasmus, 1936137;Persky et al, 1966;Pekkarinen et al, 1960), as well as the relatively low adrenal hormone levels found in soldiers exposed to prolonged combat action (Pace et al, 1956;Bourne, 1969 and and in chronically anxious patients (Levi, unpublished results).…”

From Antarctica to Outer Space

“…For example, subjects placed in an isolation chamber were highly motivated to seek changes in the setting. Persky, Zuckerman, Basu, and Thornton (1966) reported that subjects under these conditions kept a television set on continuously except when sleeping.…”