The hypothesis of the nature of electrodermal reactions

Abstract

Long-term studies of electrodermal activity (EDA) in the activation-relaxation cycles, including simultaneous recording of skin resistance and temperature, were conducted. The new facts observed (a rapid drop in conductance after electrodermal response (EDR), a frequent absence of a correlation between skin resistance and EDR frequency, the conditions for correlation between the dynamics of resistance and temperature) are difficult to explain within the framework of the most generally accepted hypothesis of the formation of all EDA components by the secretory region of the eccrine sweat glands. They testify in favor of the hypothesis of the existence of two systems of EDA regulation that are largely independent. According to the hypothesis, the thermoregulation function is mainly mediated by the continuous release of a secretion resulting in tonic changes in resistance. EDR occur in response to emotions and are associated with thermoregulation, but only slightly. They are determined by the properties of the excretory region of the gland. The phase of decrease in resistance is accompanied by narrowing of the ducts caused by myoepithelial cells on activation, possibly adrenergic, of the sympathetic nervous system.