EFFECTS OF SET AND SEX ON THE ELECTRODERMAL ORIENTING RESPONSE

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Abstract
This study sought to determine the extent to which brief instructions to “pay attention” would affect the magnitude and rate of habituation of the electrodermal orienting response (OR) and whether sex differences would be obtained. Compared to neutral (relaxation) instructions, it was found that Ss who were told to pay attention: (1) had larger ORs to the first tone in each of 2 sets of 20 tones, (2) showed more irregular habituation over the second set of tones, and (3) exhibited decreases in base conductance during a rest period between sets of tones. Females habituated faster than males over the first set of tones. The results are discussed in terms of preparatory set variables.