Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) refers to a physiological reaction that occurs in the human body as a response to emotional or psychological stimuli. It is also known as electrodermal activity (EDA), skin conductance response (SCR), or psychogalvanic reflex (PGR).
GSR measures the changes in skin conductance, which is influenced by the sweat gland activity on the surface of the skin. When a person experiences emotional arousal, such as fear, excitement, or stress, the autonomic nervous system triggers the release of sweat. This sweat increases the electrical conductivity of the skin, allowing a flow of electrical current between two electrodes placed on the skin's surface.
The measurement of GSR provides insights into a person's emotional state, as it reflects the activation of the sympathetic nervous system. An increase in GSR indicates higher emotional arousal, while a decrease suggests relaxation or a lack of emotional response. GSR is commonly used in psychology, neuroscience, and market research to assess the emotional reactions of individuals to specific triggers, such as advertisements, videos, or social situations.
Galvanic Skin Response is a non-invasive and reliable method for studying emotional responses, as it provides a quantifiable measure of physiological arousal. It has applications in various fields, including lie detection, stress management, biofeedback therapy, and human-computer interaction. By understanding and analyzing GSR, researchers and professionals can gain valuable insights into human emotions and subjective experiences.
