Frontal Lobe Correlates in Hostile Men: Analysis of Facial Motor Tone and Cardiovascular Regulation

This experimented proposed to test the relationships between self-reported hostility and both facial muscle tone and cardiovascular functioning. Based on previous research, it was proposed that individuals high in self-reported hostility would show increased cardiovascular reactivity in response to a physical stressor (the cold-pressor task). Additionally, based on the integration of multiple lines of research, it was proposed that individuals with high levels of self-reported hostility would show asymmetric facial tone, with greater muscle activation at the left-hemiface. Results showed increased cardiovascular responding in the high-hostile participants following exposure to the cold-pressor task. Additionally, the individuals with high levels of self-reported hostility did show asymmetric facial tone, with increased left-hemifacial EMG values. These differences were present prior to exposure to the cold-pressor task, and were increased following the stressor. Results supported the literature showing increased cardiovascular responding to stress in high-hostile individuals, and also supported the proposed relationship between right orbitofrontal functioning and hostility.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Department dc:contributor.department

Psychology

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2010

Author dc:creator

• Rhodes, Robert D.

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Harrison, David W.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Jones, Russell T.
• Bell, Martha Ann
• Clum, George A. Jr.

• EMG
• Cardiovascular Reactivity
• Masseter
• Corrugator
• Hostility

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

etd-05042012-112637

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/37723