Final answer:
During an embarrassing task, the GSR reading typically increases due to the activation of the sympathetic nervous system, leading to increased sweating and higher skin conductance, which reflects the subject's heightened emotional state.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Galvanic Skin Response (GSR), also known as skin conductance, is a measure of the electrical conductance of the skin, which varies with its moisture level. During a baseline activity such as reading quietly, a subject's GSR levels are expected to remain relatively stable, reflecting a calm physiological state. However, during an embarrassment task, the subject's GSR reading typically increases. This happens because the sympathetic nervous system becomes more active during psychologically arousing situations like embarrassment, which leads to increased sweating and consequently higher skin conductance.
This physiological response is part of the body's fight-or-flight system, preparing the individual to deal with a perceived threat or social challenge. Embarrassing situations trigger emotional and physiological arousal, which are reflected in the GSR readings, providing objective evidence of the subject's increased emotional state.