| Abstract: | Compared verbal and physiological reactions to sensory deprivation (SD) and extreme sensory variation (SV). 22 male undergraduates were confined to a cubicle for 8 hr. in each condition on 2 different occasions. 2 other 8-hr sessions were spent in a relatively normal, nonconfined condition. Ss found SD more boring, dislikable, and anxiety and depression provoking than SV. More unreality stress was reported after SD. However, more autonomic activation was found in SV. Both SD and SV produced more hostility, somatic complaints, and adrenocortical output than control conditions. Trait anxiety was associated with stress response to both conditions. Subjective stress is associated with a condition, SD, which produces less than optimal arousal. Confinement may produce hostility and adrenocortical activation at either extreme of sensory variation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
