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.
21 exam-style questions on AQA A Level Psychology Measuring stress. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.