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Methods and mechanisms in electrodermal studies of omission responding
1School of Education, University of New South Wales, Kensington, Australia.
Biological Psychology
|June 1, 1989
Summary
This study provides evidence for increased response latency to stimulus omission, supporting the voluntary orienting response (OR) theory. Methodological critiques and alternative theories regarding the missing-stimulus effect were addressed and refuted.
Area of Science:
- Psychophysiology
- Cognitive Psychology
- Human Behavior
Background:
- Investigates the electrodermal orienting response (OR) to stimulus omission.
- Addresses commentary on methodological and theoretical aspects of the missing-stimulus effect.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate the response-averaging technique used to study the orienting response (OR) to stimulus omission.
- To refute alternative theoretical explanations for the missing-stimulus effect.
- To clarify the theoretical position regarding stimulus significance and voluntary OR.
Main Methods:
- Employed a response-averaging technique.
- Conducted simulation exercises to validate the procedure.
- Examined methodological critiques and theoretical arguments.
Main Results:
- Obtained reliable evidence of increased response latency to stimulus omission.
- Supported Maltzman's voluntary orienting response (OR) explanation for the missing-stimulus effect.
- Demonstrated the untenability of alternative theoretical explanations, such as systematic bias in stimulus-comparator processes.
Conclusions:
- The response-averaging technique is a valid method for investigating the orienting response (OR) to stimulus omission.
- The missing-stimulus effect is best explained by the voluntary orienting response (OR) theory.
- Clarified the consistent use of 'significance' and 'voluntary OR' within the proposed theoretical framework.