Abstract
The present study was to investigate the effects of pressure and sex dif ferenceson skin potential activity (SPA), using 10 male and 10 female students. Although skin potential level (SPL) was decreased instantly after pressing the electrode site, subsequently SPL was changeless, i. e., flattening pattern, compared with SPL on control side. The frequency of skin potential responses (SPRs) was decreased, and no effect on the negative component of amplitude while the positive component was significantly abolished on the pressure side. As to the interpretation of these results, following possible factors were suggested : (1) sweat pore occlusion by the pressure, (2) the effects of pressure reflex, and (3) local ischemia resulting from the pressure. Sex differences on SPA were also evidently observed. There were significantly higher SPLs and greater frequency in SPRs in males than in females. Thus, it was suggested that the use of any subject group that consisted of both males and females should be avoided when electrodermal activity is employed as psychophysiological measure.
