Galvanic skin response A sample GSR signal of 60 seconds . Galvanic skin response ( GSR ) , also known as electrodermal response ( EDR ) , psychogalvanic reflex ( PGR ) , or skin conductance response ( SCR ) , is a method of measuring the electrical resistance of the skin . There has been a long history of electrodermal activity research , most of it dealing with spontaneous fluctuations . Most investigators accept the phenomenon without understanding exactly what it means . There is a relationship between sympathetic activity and emotional arousal , although one cannot identify the specific emotion being elicited . The GSR is highly sensitive to emotions in some people . Fear , anger , startle response , orienting response and sexual feelings are all among the emotions which may produce similar GSR responses . One branch of GSR explanation interprets GSR as an image of activity in certain parts of the body . The mapping of skin areas to internal organs is usually based on acupuncture point . Practice GSR is conducted by attaching two leads to the skin , and acquiring a base measure . Then , as the activity being studied is performed , recordings are made from the leads . There are two ways to perform a GSR - in active GSR , current is passed through the body , with the resistance measured . In passive GSR , current generated by the body itself is measured . History GSR originated in the early 1900s . It was used for a variety of types of research in the 1960s through the late 1970s , with a decline in use as more sophisticated techniques ( suc h as EEG and MRI ) replaced it in many areas of psychological research . GSR still sees limited use today , as it is possible to use with low-cost hardware ( galvanometer ) . Uses GSR measurement is one component of polygraph devices and is used in scientific research of emotional arousal . GSR is also used by Scientologists , who call their devices E-meters , in their spiritual counseling . They claim to have developed a variety of techniques to improve the reliability and accuracy of the device . See also Electrical quackery Electroacupuncture Affective computing Biosignal External links University of Kuopio page on GSR Use Quack `` Electrodiagnostic '' Devices by Stephen Barrett , M.D. ( a Quackwatch paper ) Cornell GSR Class Project Categories : Measuring instruments | Forensics | Electronic test equipment | Integumentary system 