Effect of Feedback Training and Knowledge of Results on Discrimination of Skin Conductance Responses

Abstract

<p>The ideomotor theory of visceral learning predicts that the ability to control a visceral response and the ability to detect its occurrence should be correlated. The experiment reported in this thesis examined the effect of training subjects to control sudomotor responding on ability to detect the occurrence of this response. While training was found to facilitate discrimination, the correlation between control and discrimination was not significantly different from zero. It was suggested that one need not abandon ideomotor theory, but realize that other influences may obscure the relationship expected. Examples of possible influences are described.</p>