galvanic skin response

American  

noun

1. a change in the electrical conductivity of the skin caused by an emotional reaction to a stimulus.

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galvanic skin response British  

noun

1.  GSR.  a change in the electrical resistance of the skin occurring in moments of strong emotion; measurements of this change are used in lie detector tests

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Etymology

Origin of galvanic skin response

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

He made it compact for travel and added a component to gauge galvanic skin response, which measures sweat gland activity that could reflect the intensity of an emotional state.

From Salon • Oct. 3, 2018

The test measured "thoracic and abdominal respiration, galvanic skin response, and cardiac activity," Hanafin wrote in the report.

From Fox News • Sep. 26, 2018

Blackaller suggested that, eventually, V.R. software could be calibrated to the user’s body: “There might be ways to keep track of pulse, or galvanic skin response, and deliver different experiences in reaction to that.”

From The New Yorker • Apr. 25, 2016

They measured his heart rate, the number of steps he took and his "galvanic skin response" – a measure of stress which, he says is "essentially a lie detector".

From The Guardian • Jun. 26, 2013

A 2010 study revealed that the sound of whining focused listeners’ attention more effectively than neutral speech and even caused an increase in galvanic skin response, a sign of emotional arousal.

From Slate