NCJ Number
52644
Date Published
1975
Length
8 pages
Annotation
A STUDY IN WHICH THE PSYCHOLOGICAL STRESS EVALUATOR (PSE) WAS USED TO MEASURE LEVELS OF STRESS IN 12 PERSONS SELECTED AT RANDOM FROM PATIENTS IN A DENTIST'S WAITING ROOM IS REPORTED.
Abstract
THE PSE PURPORTEDLY REVEALS INDICATIONS OF STRESS IN THE HUMAN VOICE AND IS USED AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE POLYGRAPH BY SOME LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, BUSINESSES, AND BUSINESS SECURITY FIRMS. THE STUDY SUBJECTS, ALL OF WHOM WERE REGULAR PATIENTS ABOUT TO UNDERGO ROUTINE DENTAL PROCEDURES, RANGED IN AGE FROM 12 TO 78 AND INCLUDED 5 MALES AND 7 FEMALES. THE SUBJECTS WERE ASKED A SERIES OF QUESTIONS (INCLUDING TWO ABOUT THEIR BRUSHING HABITS) THREE DIFFERENT TIMES -- TWICE BY THE RESEARCHERS AND ONCE BY THE DENTIST. THE DENTIST'S INITIAL QUESTION EVOKED STRESS IN THE SUBJECTS, BUT NO DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE DENTIST AND THE RESEARCHERS WERE FOUND FOR THE QUESTIONS CONCERNING DENTAL HYGIENE HABITS. THE FINDINGS INDICATE THAT THE DENTIST'S PRESENCE CAUSES SOME INITIAL STRESS, EVEN IN PATIENTS WHO APPEAR TO HAVE THEIR ANXIETY UNDER CONTROL. THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE DENTIST CAN MANIPULATE PATIENTS' RESPONSES TO STRESS CUES IN THE DENTAL SETTING IS RAISED. THE VALUE OF THE PSE IN SUCH INVESTIGATIONS AS THIS IS POINTED OUT. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS PROVIDED. (LKM)