Vocal expression of anger and cardiovascular reactivity within dyadic interactions

This experiment was conducted to examine whether the vocal expression of anger correlated with cardiovascular reactivity within dyadic interactions. Participants selected three social issues on which they had a strong opinion and, with a confederate who opposed their views, debated these opinions in each of the three vocal styles. The three vocal styles were (1) Anger-out during which they described their view in a loud, fast voice, (2) Mood-incongruent during which they described their view in a soft, slow voice, and (3) Anger-in during which they listened to the confederate oppose their view and only responded from a list of neutral phrases given to them. Cardiovascular reactivity measures (heart rate and blood pressure) were taken during the initial baseline and the three expression of anger conditions. Both the anger-out and mood-incongruent vocal styles significantly correlated with systolic blood pressure and heart-rate reactivity measures. The disparity between the results of this experiment and previous ones on anger and cardiovascular response may be related to differences in the method of anger-arousal (memory-evoked versus dyadic interactions). Results are discussed in terms of similarities to active and passive coping and defensiveness.