the degree to which the skin transmits a small electric current between two electrodes, changes in which are typically used to measure a person’s level of arousal or energy mobilization (see galvanic skin response). In contrast to other autonomically mediated indices, skin conductance rarely shows relations to specific emotional states, such as fear or anger, responding instead to level of arousal. The mechanism of skin conductance is not fully known: It seems to be related to the electrical activity of sweat glands but not to sweating itself. Compare skin resistance.