One of the most sensitive measures of emotional arousal is Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), also referred to as Electrodermal Activity (EDA) or Skin Conductance (SC). For that purpose, the BMS Lab offers the Shimmer3 GSR+ sensors. The Shimmer3 GSR+ sensors measure the electrical conductivity of the skin.
Shimmer3 GSR+ For Research & Education
With GSR, you can study the impact of any emotionally arousing content, product or service can be tested – actual physical objects, videos, images, sounds, odors, food probes and other sensory stimuli as well as thought experiments and mental images.
Best practices
When handling the equipment, keep the following points in mind before using the Shimmer3 GSR+ for your research:
After reserving and receiving the sensors, you can use them in the BMS Lab in the lab space designated for physiological studies (the Recognice room). However, if your target population cannot reach the university, you may use them outside of our facilities.
The logic behind the use of the sensors is as follows:
- 1. Place two electrodes on emotionally sensitive body locations
- 2. Apply a constant low voltage
- 3. Measure the electrical current between the two electrodes
- 4. Report the associated skin conductance
Although GSR data might be acquired with arbitrary sampling rates (up to 2000 Hz), very low sampling rates are sufficient. We suggest sampling rates from 1 to 10 Hz, however, keep in mind that higher sampling rates might be necessary if the same device collects GSR and other physiological parameters such as (optical) heart rate, for example.
Sweat glands are present in almost all parts of the body. However, certain areas respond more strongly to emotional stimulation. Particularly, the palms of the hands, fingers and foot soles are sensitive recording sites. The sensors should be placed on the fingers if the participants’ hands are static, on the palms of the hands if the participant uses both of the hands, and on the inner side of the participants’ feet if the hands are extensively used.
Hygiene Protocol
When making use of Shimmer sensors, please follow the standard hygiene procedures recommended by the BMS Lab to ensure that the sensors are clean appropriately and ready for future use. Additionally, in the Shimmer3 SGR+ manual, you can find detailed information about cleaning this piece of equipment.
Further support
Manuals And External Links
Combining EEG, Shimmer3 and iMotions
Want to use the Shimmer3 GSR+?
Go first through the steps on how to reserve Shimmer3 GSR+ or go directly to the equipment reservation page if you have already registered your project.
