Core Biometrics: GSR, Heart Rate, and Pupilometry
Core biometric data are very useful in measuring the intensity of a subject's response to stimuli (but not the direction, or valence). Within our lab, we regularly assess three core biometric data sources: galvanic skin response, heart rate, and pupilometry. These tools are a great complement to other lab technologies, such as eye tracking, facial expression analysis and EEG.
Galvanic skin response (GSR), also known as electrodermal response, originates from the automatic activation of sweat glands in the skin. Whenever we are emotionally aroused, signals from the GSR data shows distinctive patterns that are visible with the bare eyes and can be statistically analyzed to assess subject response to stimuli.
Heart rate and heart rate variability contains a surprising amount of information. Readings of emotional arousal and focused attention can be obtained from heart data. Broadly, when someone’s focus is outward, their heart rate slows; when it is inward, it quickens.
Galvanic skin response (GSR), also known as electrodermal response, originates from the automatic activation of sweat glands in the skin. Whenever we are emotionally aroused, signals from the GSR data shows distinctive patterns that are visible with the bare eyes and can be statistically analyzed to assess subject response to stimuli.
Heart rate and heart rate variability contains a surprising amount of information. Readings of emotional arousal and focused attention can be obtained from heart data. Broadly, when someone’s focus is outward, their heart rate slows; when it is inward, it quickens.
Pupilometry measures changes in the pupil of the eye. Pupil diameter is affected by light conditions, cognitive activity, and emotional arousal. By keeping light conditions and cognitive load constant, researchers can use pupil data to assess the intensity of subjects’ emotional response. In addition to pupil dilation, our eye tracking system provides data relating to changes in pupil distance to the monitor, indicative of approach and avoidance motivation behavior.