Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 31, 2026

Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Activity in Toddlers - Resting and Developmental Challenges
Published on: February 25, 2016
Vocal expression of anger and cardiovascular reactivity within dyadic interactions
C A Sargent1, S R Flora, S L Williams
1Youngstown State University, Department of Psychology, OH 44555, USA.
Abstract:
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.
Related Concept Videos
Aggression
Emotional Expression
Universal Facial Expressions
Psychologist Paul Ekman identified seven basic...
Physiological Theories: James-Lange Theory of Emotion
Physiological Theories: Cannon-Bard Theory of Emotion
Upon perceiving a stimulus, such as a dangerous...
Facial Feedback Hypothesis
Coping Strategies: Emotion Focused

