Arousal and habituation: Differential effects of caffeine, sensation seeking and task difficulty

摘要: Abstract The effects of arousal on the activation and habituation orienting reflex (OR) have been interest since development OR theory. present study manipulated using caffeine, task difficulty, an individual difference dimension, sensation seeking. Preselected groups high low seekers were exposed to a digit-span stimulus involving three levels with order presentation randomly varied. Half each sensation-seeking group was given other half placebo. Caffeine produced larger phasic skin conductance responses (SCRs), maintained tonic arousal, functioned slow smooth process. Individual differences in seeking significantly affected SCL habituation, increases difficulty retarded SCR habituation. Results interpreted as suggesting that both manipulations systematically affect electrodermal