The impact of task controllability on perceived control and cardiovascular processes

This article examines the impact of task control on perceived control and cardiovascular processes. Fifty-eight undergraduates performed a computer task where the functionality of the computer mouse was used to manipulate task control. Results are consistent with the proposition that actual control triggers an initial physiological response which can be modified temporally later by perceived control and that male participants react psychologically faster to changes in task control than female participants.