Number and amplitude of galvanic skin responses (GSRs) during rest, during a bland and during a stressor film were examined in 20 male student Ss. The Zuckerman Multiple Affect Adjective Check List (MAACL) was administered before and after both stressor and bland films. The greatest number and amplitude of GSRs were produced during the stress film and the least during the bland film. A direct relationship between number and amplitude of GSRs and MAACL scores was obtained. In addition, these GSR indexes paralleled variations in the content of the stressor film. These results support the interpretation that cognitive factors are important in understanding mechanisms of psychological stress.
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