The Relationship between a Measure of Transitory Anxiety and Spontaneous Autonomic Activity

The effects of stress (threat of shock) on GSR nonspecific responses were evaluated for Ss who differed in transitory anxiety as measured by the Affect Adjective Check List (AACL). 52 Ss were equally divided among 4 groups: Hi AACL Stress, Lo AACL Stress, Hi AACL Nonstress, and Lo AACL Nonstress. First, all Ss rested; then both Stress groups were threatened with shock, while both Nonstress groups continued resting; finally, all Ss rested again. During the 2nd period GSR nonspeciflcs increased for both stress groups; however, during the final period, after the cessation of stress, GSR nonspecifics decreased more for the Lo AACL Ss than for the Hi AACL Ss. It was concluded that the AACL may be related to "autonomic recovery rate."