During a clinical trial monitoring physiological stress responses, a researcher measures a participant's electrodermal activity (EDA) using two electrodes placed on the palmar surfaces of the fingers.
Which of the following statements correctly explains the physiological mechanism and the resulting electrical changes that occur when the participant experiences acute stress?
Sympathetic nervous system activation stimulates eccrine sweat glands to secrete sweat into the ducts. This increases the number of parallel conducting pathways through the skin, leading to an increase in skin conductance.
Parasympathetic nervous system activation stimulates eccrine sweat glands to secrete sweat into the ducts. This increases the number of parallel conducting pathways through the skin, leading to an increase in skin conductance.
Sympathetic nervous system activation stimulates apocrine sweat glands to secrete sweat into the ducts. This increases the number of series conducting pathways through the skin, leading to an increase in skin resistance.
Sympathetic nervous system activation inhibits eccrine sweat glands, preventing sweat from filling the ducts. This decreases the number of parallel conducting pathways through the skin, leading to an increase in skin conductance.
Practise AQA A Level Psychology Measuring stress with exam-style questions for A Level Psychology. 21 questions, matched to the AQA A Level Psychology (7182) specification and written in Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.
