Five studies are described, examining the validity
of the Palmar Sweat Index (PSI) as an alternative to
traditional measures of electrodermal activity (EDA). A
review of research using the PSI identified tour topics
which needed to be addressed, before the PSI could be
accepted as an alternative to measures of EDA.
The first of these topics concerns the reliability
of the PSI. A preliminary analysis confirmed that the
PSI could be scored reliably.
The second topic to be examined, was the
relationship between the PSI and measures of EDA. The
PSI was found to correlate significantly with several
parameters of EDA. These results provide some support
for models of EDA involving a single effector. More
importantly, the PSI response was observed to show
rapid recovery, and in one study the PSI was observed
to show adaptation over the course of the session,
while skin conductance level did not. The difference in
the temporal patterning of the responses shown by the
two measures provides an explanation for previous
reports of a dissociation between the PSI and EDA.
The final topics to be examined concerned the
effects of psychological stress and anxiety,
respectively, on the PSI. Stressful cognitive tasks
were observed to lead to increased palmar sweating.
Previous claims that the PSI may decrease in response
to stress were not supported. More ecologically-valid
stressors were less consistently associated with
elevated levels of sweat gland activity. There was some
support for a relationship between the PSI and
experienced anxiety. It is suggested that this may
explain the raised sweat gland activity observed during
stressful tasks.
Data are also presented from three collaborative
studies. This data was collected by other workers and
demonstrates the utility of the PSI for applied
clinical research.
Date of Award | 1992 |
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Original language | English |
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Awarding Institution | |
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THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PALMAR SWEAT INDEX AS AN APPLIED MEASURE IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY
CLEMENTS, K. J. (Author). 1992
Student thesis: PhD