Hemisphericity, expressivity and autonomic arousal

An exploratory study was performed concerning autonomic-central nervous system relationships in humans. Four groups of subjects were selected on the basis of two variables reflecting styles of central activity, hemisphericity (as measured by lateral eye movements) and facial expressivity. These groups were exposed to two stressor tasks. A marginally significant relationship was found between right hemisphericity and facial expressivity. Right hemisphericity subjects had higher heart rates. Highly expressive subjects and left hemisphericity subjects each tended to show larger autonomic responses to stress, and subjects in whom both characteristics were combined showed particularly heightened responsiveness. It was concluded that individual differences in central nervous system activation are related to autonomic arousal.