Abstract
The present study attempted to find the relationship between IPAT Anxiety Scale scores, sex of the subject, and BSR during stress and non-stress situations. 60 college students scoring in the upper 15%, middle 15%, and lower 15%, on the IPAT Anxiety Scale were tested during adaptation, shock induced stress and final rest conditions. The results showed no relationship between IPAT Anxiety Scale scores and BSR. There was a significant difference in Bsr during experimental conditions, and females had a significantly higher BSR than did males. It was concluded that stress induces an anxiety response that is measurable by BSR, but that the BSR measure is unrelated to IPAT Anxiety Scale scores. Although there was a sex difference, it cannot be determined if it was the result of anxiety or a general sex difference in skin resistance.
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This paper is based upon a Master’s thesis done by the senior author, under the direction of the junior author, at Western Washington State College, 1969. We are indebted to Loren L. Webb for his help with the instrumentation and technical procedures.
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Bauman, M.J., Straughan, J.H. BSR As a Function of Anxiety, Stress and Sex. Psychol Rec 19, 339–344 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03393858
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03393858