APA Dictionary of Psychology

the principle that the initial level of a physiological response is a major determinant of a later response in that system. Thus, if an individual’s pulse rate is high, their cardiovascular response to an emotion-provoking stimulus will be weaker than if the initial pulse rate had been low. Also called initial value dependency; initial values law; rate dependence effect. See rate dependency. [proposed in 1931 by U.S. neuropsychiatrist Joseph Wilder (1895–1976)]