Manipulation of Contrast Between Differential GSR Responses Through the Use of Ordered Tasks of Information Detection

ABSTRACT Three variables involved in the production of Short Term Physiological Activation (STPA) were identified: a) frequency of usage of the stimulus by the organism, b) relevance of the stimulus to the organism, and c) whether or not a verbal response to the stimulus is required. Stimulus sequences for information detection were constructed by combining these variables, and physiological responsiveness was observed in the GSR. It was hypothesized that short term physiological responsivity could be manipulated in an ordered fashion using combinations of the above‐mentioned variables. Each one of 54 S s was tested in six experimental sequences. It was found that it was possible to manipulate the contrast between the GSRs emitted by the S to the critical stimuli, and those produced to the alternative stimuli in information detection tasks in the predicted direction.