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Interpersonal influence as active coping: effects of task difficulty on cardiovascular reactivity.
T W Smith1, M Baldwin, A J Christensen
1Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112.
Psychophysiology
|July 1, 1990
Summary
Attempting social influence significantly increases cardiovascular reactivity, including blood pressure and heart rate. This effect was more pronounced when the influence task was perceived as difficult.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cardiovascular Research
- Social Influence
Background:
- Cardiovascular reactivity is a key indicator of stress response.
- Social influence attempts can be psychologically demanding.
- Understanding the physiological impact of social influence is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of attempting social influence on cardiovascular reactivity.
- To compare cardiovascular responses under contingent versus noncontingent reward conditions.
- To examine how task difficulty moderates cardiovascular reactivity during social influence.
Main Methods:
- Random assignment to noncontingent or contingent reward conditions (easy, difficult, very difficult).
- Measurement of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate.
- Physiological monitoring during preparation and delivery of persuasive communication.
Main Results:
- Contingent social influence attempts significantly elevated systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate.
- Cardiovascular reactivity was highest in the difficult contingent condition compared to easy and very difficult conditions.
- Reactivity was observed during both preparation and speaking phases of the task.
Conclusions:
- Attempting social influence acts as a significant physiological stressor.
- Task difficulty amplifies cardiovascular responses during social influence.
- Findings suggest an interpersonal stressor paradigm analogous to active coping tasks.