Perception of the simulant-amputee physique

It was the purpose of this study to determine whether or not nercentlon of the simulant-amputee physique of the male, hereafter called amnutee, Is threatening to the nondisabled male. The following hypotheses were suggested by a review of the literature on perceptual defense and the galvanic skin response (GSR): I. Recognition thresholds are higher for tachisto- scopically-presented slides of amputees in usual clothing than for tachistoscopically-presented slides of nondisabled males In novel clothing, II. Tachistoscopically-presented slides of amputees In usual clothing are seen as pictures of nondisabled persons In novel clothing more often than tachistoscopically-presented slides of nondisabled males In novel clothing are seen as pictures of amputees In usual clothing, III. At three levels of perception, l.e., Immediately below the recognition threshold, approximately at the recognition threshold, and far above the recognition threshold, there is greater arousal on the emotional activity continuum, as measured by the GSR, to tachistoscopically-presented slides of amputees In usual clothing than to tachistoscopically-presented slides of nondisabled males in novel clothing.