Autonomic and Somatic Responses Associated With Performance of the Embedded Figures Test

Heart rate, skin potential, respiratory rate, and electromyographic activity from the biceps muscle were monitored while subjects performed the Embedded Figures Test. Increases in the phasic and tonic components of skin potential responding and in respiratory rate were noted during the presentation of embedded‐figure stimuli. A bidirectional change in heart rate consisting of an initial decrease followed by an increase was noted during the stimuli. In addition, differential changes in heart rate, skin potential phasic responding, and biceps muscle tension occurred preceding correctly solved and unsolved problems. Lowered heart rate and lowered rates of biceps electromyographic activity were detected during the presentation of the simple figure of solved problems relative to unsolved problems. Lower rates of skin potential phasic responding were noted during the simple figure of solved problems (relative to unsolved problems) for field dependent subjects. For field independent subjects, this differential pattern of skin potential phasic responding was reversed. The results are discussed in terms of the theoretical positions formulated by the Laceys and by Obrist.