PERSONALITY CORRELATES OF PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES TO MOTION PICTURES

Abstract

ABSTRACT Skin conductance (SC) and heart rate (HR) responses to rest, to a bland and to a stressor motion picture film were examined in 20 student subjects ( S s). S s were divided equally into a high ego strength (Es) and a low Es group on the basis of their scores on the Barron scale of the MMPI. These groups were balanced for film presentation order and did not differ significantly on trait anxiety as measured by the Taylor manifest anxiety scale. The Zuckerman multiple affect adjective check list was administered before and after both the stressor and the bland film. High Es S s were more responsive in SC and HR under all three conditions and showed a greater range of SC values than did low Es S s. Subjective states paralleled physiological states. High Es S s reported significantly greater state anxiety than did low Es S s.