Factor Analytically Derived Components of Orienting, Defensive, and Conditioned Behavior in Electrodermal Conditioning

The hypothesis that conditioned electrodermal responses can be analyzed into separate components of orienting and conditioned behavior was tested with a factor analytical method. Multiple responses from 105 Ss in a long interstimulus interval paradigm were grouped into four blocks of 6 trials each, and a correlation matrix computed from intercorrelations between different multiple responses during four stages of training. The first analysis was performed on the CS, pre-US, and post-US responses, and resulted in three significant factors. The first one was defined by the CS response early in training and was interpreted as reflecting orienting behavior. The second factor was defined by the pre-US response late in training and was interpreted as representing expectancy or preparatory processes. The third factor tentatively was designated as a conditioned response factor of defensive nature, since it was defined by the post-US response late in training. This interpretation was confirmed in a second analysis which included the UR. Essentially, the factor structure from the first analysis was replicated, with the UR highly loaded in the third factor, which therefore was interpreted as reflecting defensive behavior.