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THE PARTIAL INDEPENDENCE OF SKIN POTENTIAL AND SKIN RESISTANCE FROM SWEATING
Author(s) -
Wilcott R. C.
Publication year - 1964
Publication title -
psychophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.661
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1469-8986
pISSN - 0048-5772
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8986.1964.tb02621.x
Subject(s) - basal (medicine) , atropine , skin conductance , psychology , evoked potential , cholinergic , negativity effect , latency (audio) , audiology , chemistry , medicine , neuroscience , developmental psychology , biomedical engineering , electrical engineering , insulin , engineering
Results of three experiments were as follows: 1. After a 3‐ma DC current of 10‐min duration through the palmar skin, skin potential (SP) basal level is reduced in negativity and the positive wave of the SP response eliminated with no change in sweating (Sw) or skin resistance (SR). This demonstrates that SP basal level and the occurrence of the positive wave are not dependent on Sw or SR. 2. Placing a potential between the SP electrodes to vary SP basal potential will produce variations in response wave form, amplitude and latency. An induced potential comparable to that used in SR recording will produce SP responses of large amplitude. This suggests that the SP and SR represent different aspects of the same physiological processes. The effects of a DC current through the skin and exsanguination can be overcome by varying the SP basal potential. These results further demonstrate that SP responses are a function of SP basal level. 3. After atropinization, SP and SR return to their initial levels faster than Sw. It is concluded that SP and SR are partially produced by a process separate from Sw. Methodology, Human, Palmar sweating. Skin resistance. Skin potential, Atropine, Cholinergic, Exsanguination, Electrophoresis. (R. C. Wilcott)