2013 Volume 31 Issue 3 Pages 181-191
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a difference in subjective emotions and expressions, which was produced by intentionally smiling when experiencing a negative emotion, on cardiovascular responses. Forty two participants were shown two short films. They were divided into three groups; the unpleasant group was shown two disturbing films, the pleasant group was shown two happiness-inducing films. The neutral group was shown two neutral films. The participants were asked to intentionally smile while watching one of the two films (smile condition), and to have a normal expression while viewing the other (natural condition). We measured cardiovascular parameters while the participants watched the films and after they had finished watching them. We found that in smile condition, both the pleasant and unpleasant groups showed increased blood pressure; however, heart rate increased in the pleasant group, but decreased in the unpleasant group. The cardiovascular response for the unpleasant group resembled as an indication of maladaptive cardiovascular responding. Our results suggest that difference in subjective emotions and expressions may cause maladaptive physiological responses.
