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Journal article

Ambulatory assessment of skin conductivity during first thesis presentation: lower self-confidence predicts prolonged stress response.

  • Elfering A Department of Psychology, University of Berne, Switzerland. achim.elfering@psy.unibe.ch
  • Grebner S
  • 2011-05-03
Published in:
  • Applied psychophysiology and biofeedback. - 2011
Adult
Autonomic Nervous System
Female
Galvanic Skin Response
Humans
Male
Self Concept
Social Environment
Speech
Stress, Psychological
Students
English In this field study self-confidence was tested to predict the course of galvanic electrodermal stress response prior, during and after public speaking. Ten graduate students initially rated their self-confidence and afterwards presented their thesis proposals orally in a 10-min presentation to their supervisor and peers. Galvanic skin response level was measured throughout and analysed for 10 min prior to, during, and 10 min after the presentation. Two major galvanic electrodermal stress response types were observed. Five students showed a 'healthy response', i.e. an anticipatory increase in electrodermal conductance, followed by a decrease after termination of the presentation. The other five students showed a steady increase of skin conductance during and after their presentation ('prolonged response'). In line with the allostatic load model the 'prolonged response' group reported significantly lower self-confidence before presentation than the 'healthy response' group (p < 0.01). Self-confidence is a resource in novices facing an unfamiliar stressor.
Language
  • English
Open access status
green
Identifiers
Persistent URL
https://folia.unifr.ch/global/documents/182940
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