Physiological response to a minimal social encounter: effects of gender, ethnicity, and social context

This study examined physiological response to an encounter with and touch by an unfamiliar person. Fifty-five African American (23 male, 30 female) and 51 European American (23 male, 28 female) undergraduates participated. A Black or White interactor entered the room, introduced himself or herself, checked equipment for 30 s, and then took a pulse for 30 s. Entry of the interactor resulted in increased corrugator and zygomaticus facial muscle activity (EMG), increased skin conductance (SC), and heart rate (HR) acceleration. Corrugator EMG was greater among Black subjects; White subjects responded with more zygomatic EMG and SC and greater HR acceleration. Women showed a more positive facial expression than did men. Being touched reduced EMG and HR but resulted in increased SC. White and Black males showed more HR acceleration when encountering a Black male interactor.