Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 17, 2026
06:15
A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
13.9K
Social stimuli increase physiological reactivity but not defensive responses
Vladimir Kosonogov1,2, Juan Pedro Sanchez-Navarro2,3, Jose Maria Martinez-Selva2,3
1Spospeshestvovanie, Rostov-on-Don, Russia.
Scandinavian Journal of Psychology
|July 23, 2016
Summary
Social content of emotional pictures impacts arousal for pleasant images but not defensive responses to unpleasant ones. This research explores affective stimuli and physiological responses.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Emotional reactions are vital for survival, driving approach and withdrawal behaviors.
- The specific impact of social content within affective stimuli on emotional responses remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if the social content of affective pictures influences defensive responses and physiological arousal.
- To differentiate the effects of social content on responses to pleasant versus unpleasant stimuli.
Main Methods:
- Recorded startle blink reflex (defensive response) and skin conductance responses (arousal measure) in 73 participants.
- Participants viewed 81 pictures varying in affective valence and social content.
Main Results:
- Defense response magnitude (startle blink reflex) depended on threatening cues, not social content.
- Social content influenced pleasant stimuli, increasing resource mobilization (electrodermal activity).
Conclusions:
- Social content of affective stimuli can heighten physiological arousal for pleasant images.
- Social content does not appear to affect defense reactivity to unpleasant stimuli.
Related Concept Videos
01:16Sympathetic Activation
8.1K
The sympathetic division can influence tissues and organs by releasing norepinephrine at peripheral synapses and distributing epinephrine and norepinephrine through the bloodstream. In times of crisis or stress, sympathetic activation occurs, which is regulated by sympathetic centers in the hypothalamus. As a result, sympathetic activation prepares the body for physical exertion, rapid ATP production, and heightened alertness, allowing individuals to respond effectively to challenging or...
8.1K
01:27Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle
779
Stress is a multifaceted response to events perceived as challenging or threatening, highlighting physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physically, stress can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and various health issues such as frequent colds, chest pains, and nausea. Emotionally, it can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger triggered by both minor and major life events. Cognitively, it may result in difficulty in concentration, memory, and...
779
01:24Physiological Foundation of Stress
914
Stress triggers a coordinated physiological response involving the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This dual activation ensures that the body is prepared for both immediate and prolonged stress management. The process begins with the perception of a stressor. This initial phase activates the SNS, leading to the rapid release of adrenaline (epinephrine) from the adrenal glands.
Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System
Adrenaline triggers the...
Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System
Adrenaline triggers the...
914
01:28Causes of Social Behavior III: Biological and Environmental Influences
405
Social behavior is a complex phenomenon that arises from the interaction between biological predispositions and environmental influences. This intricate interplay shapes how individuals think, feel, and act in various social contexts. Understanding these mechanisms requires insights from psychology, neuroscience, genetics, and evolutionary theory.Environmental Influences on Social BehaviorEnvironmental factors, including temperature, odors, and visual stimuli, play a crucial role in shaping...
405
01:20Physiology of Emotion
4.1K
The physiology of emotions is a multifaceted process involving the autonomic nervous system, brain structures, hormones, and neurotransmitters. This intricate interplay dictates how emotions manifest in the body and influence behavior.
Autonomic Nervous System
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a critical role in emotional responses by regulating involuntary physiological functions. It consists of two main components: the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. The sympathetic system...
Autonomic Nervous System
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a critical role in emotional responses by regulating involuntary physiological functions. It consists of two main components: the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. The sympathetic system...
4.1K
01:37Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis
69.4K
The response to stress—be it physical or psychological, acute or chronic—involves activation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis is part of the neuroendocrine system because it involves both neuronal and hormonal communication. Its function is to regulate homeostatic systems—metabolic, cardiovascular, and immune—providing the necessary means to respond to a stressor.
69.4K