Skin conductance as a function of alcohol during motor approach towards a noxious goal

Abstract

During hand movement towards a goal involving electric shock, increased SCR amplitudes were observed for increased threat. In the presence as well as in the absence of alcohol, shock probabilities of 0.50 and 1.00 induced stronger SCRs than no‐shock control conditions. The outcome was related to behavioural measures of hesitation where an alcohol dose of 0.9 g/kg reduced hesitation significantly. It was concluded that the cognitive appraisal of threat remained unaffected by alcohol, whereas fear as reflected by hesitation was reduced. A highly significant decrease in SCR latency was observed under alcohol conditions (p <0.001). Twelve volunteer Ss served as their own controls in the alcohol/placebo X shock probabilities X replicates design.

Alcohol abuse in individuals exposed to trauma: A critical review.

“…The consumption of alcohol, but not of a placebo, markedly attenuated the magnitude of physiological responses to the stressors. A consistent finding across several studies was a reduction in the magnitude of heart rate and skin conductance responses to stress (e.g., Finn, Zeitouni, & Pihl, 1990;Lindman, Alexanderson, & Kvarnstrom, 1979;Sher & Levenson, 1982Stewart, Finn, & Pihl, 1992;Stewart & Pihl, 1994;Wilson, Abrams, & Lipscomb, 1980). Some studies have not shown SRD effects of alcohol on measures of autonomic reactivity to stress (e.g., D. B.…”