' WWW REACTIONS or BLACK AND WHITE -~

MEN T0 SIMULATED INTERRACIAL ENCOUNTERS

DISSertation for the Degree 0f Ph. D. ‘
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
LUIS C. GONZALES JR.
1975

,+ . IIIIIIIIIIIIII HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

3123 00814 9621

 

This is to certify that the

thesis entitled

PHYSIOLOGICAL REACTIONS OF
BLACK AND WHITE MEN
TO SIMULATED INTERRACIAL ENCOUNTERS

presented by

Luis Castanon Gonzales Jr.

has been accepted towards fulfillment
of the requirements for

Ph. D. Jegree in Counseling

gig/f/ My

 

   

07639

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘- ~ ..
ri‘l‘gb ‘V 2

MAR 0 9 2000

(3 we .3);

_ A.

an k“- 6, -
., --.r ,_ _.

"

TO

The pU'.
mfledge in r.
{zysiological
Ezra compared
research can b
flack-white in
Logical respon
rclved in raci
been interes t1
.. whites; 2‘
Bacall Model
proven succes
teachers, anc
Physiologicai
have compare
‘I’hites to st
blacks and w
intel“Persona

in
3 t00 muck

PHYSIOLOGICAL REACTIONS OF
BLACK AND WHITE MEN
TO SIMULATED INTERRACIAL ENCOUNTERS

by Luis C. Gonzales Jr.

ABSTRACT

 

The purposes of this study were 1) to increase the
knowledge in racial research specifically in the psycho-
physiological area. Very few psychophysiological studies
have compared groups from.different races and hopefully this
research can help clarify the interpersonal processes in
blackrwhite interactions, and their respective psychophysio-
logical response patterns. Counselors and psychologists in-
volved in racially mixed therapeutic sessions have particularly
been interested in the interpersonal processes between blacks
and whites; 2) to improve the application of the Interpersonal
Recall Model in psychophysiological research. This model has
proven successful in areas like training of counselors and
teachers, and efforts are now being made to incorporate psycho-
physiological methods into the model; and 3) very few studies
have compared the psychophysiological reactions of blacks and
whites to stress. This study offers an opportunity to see if
blacks and whites do in fact react differently to the same
interpersonal stress situations. However, it would be expect-

ing too much for any one study to offer clear cut answers to

L ref} complex
:iiute to the b3
:2::ica1 applica

Theory ur
liversity were 1
rated measure
six vignettes
crates contai
graying the e
fcllooed each e)
iata. The physi
res;iration dep‘

Results
fit blacks and
across treatmer
effects on sub;

QIZEIEDL IESp

 

the results f0
ally significa

For tI

 

race, Were £0
to partiCular
electrical s?
We at the

 

Luis C. Gonzales Jr.
this very complex problem.but hopefully this study will con-
tribute to the basic foundations from which answers and
practical applications may eventually emerge.

Twenty undergraduate males from.Michigan State
University were randomly selected for the study. A balanced
repeated measures design was used and each subject was exposed
to six vignettes followed by one-minute rest periods. The
vignettes contained male and female, black and white actors
portraying the emotion of aggression. A recall session
followed each experimental period to obtain the psychological
data. The physiological measures were respiration rate,
respiration depth, heart rate, and electrical skin conductance.

Results for the respiration rate measures indicated
that blacks and whites had significantly different rates
across treatments; the vignettes had significantly different
effects on subjects; and the two groups did have significantly
different respiration rates for particular vignettes. None of
the results for the respiration depth measures were statistic-
ally significant.

For the heart rate measure subjects, regardless of
race, were found to respond in a significantly different manner
to particular vignettes. The same finding was true for the
electrical skin conductance data. All significant findings
were at the .05 level and were further analyzed with post hoc

analyses.

T08

 

 

in p'

Dep ar

 

PHYSIOLOGICAL REACTIONS OF
BLACK AND WHITE MEN
TO SIMULATED INTERRACIAL ENCOUNTERS

. Pin

Luis C? Gonzales Jr.

A DISSERTATION

Submitted to
Michigan State University
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY

Department of Counseling, Personnel Services
and Educational PsychOlogy

1976

Ahora qu
2::profundo amo
;;is e Hilaria C
3512105, que ta
:3; que yo ob tI

Bien se
rspiracion que
tazioar esta 1

Que Dic

 

 

DEDICACION

 

Ahora que he logrado el fin que empeze hace unos afios,
con profundo amor y respeto dedico este doctorado a mis padres,
Luis e Hilaria Gonzales, y a mis abuelitos, Antonio y Julia
Bafiuelos, que tanto dieron y sacrificaron de su propia vida
para que yo obtubiera la educacion que ellos jamas conocieron.

Bien se que sin el amor, 1a paciencia, la fe y la
inspiracion que ellos me otorgaron no hubiera sido posible
terminar esta larga y laboriosa jornada.

Que Dios los, bendiga y los ame como yo lo hare siempre.

Luis Gonzales Bafiuelos

ii

While

;a:son ’30 co:
regress hi.
To No

:e from begir
To Tc

Eci as a cor
To ii
provided the
study.
To .

sewed On m
t10113 neees
To

To

:LOSt tryin
To

so Often P
Tc
gmecil’lc‘lo

C .
‘r16ndshi.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

While it is not possible to mention the name of each
person who contributed to this dissertation, the author wishes
to express his appreciation to these people:

To Norm Kagan my chairman and advisor who worked with
me from beginning to end and provided needed support.

To Tom Adams who gave so much of his time and energy
both as a committee member and as a friend.

To Homer Hawkins, my friend and colleague who so often
provided the support and understanding needed to complete this
study.

To John Schweitzer and Tom Gunnings who so willingly
served on my committee and who provided the penetrating ques-
tions necessary for the refinement of this work.

To Jack Bain for his unwavering faith and understanding.

To Harry Mika for his unselfish assistance during the
‘most trying moments of this study.

To Debbie for the love, empathy and understanding she
so often provided.

To "La Palomilla" Arturo, Rene, Alberto, Bill,
Gumecindo, Melvin, Jose, Harry, Frank and Ernest on whose

friendship and camaraderie I could always rely on when needed.

iii

armor; .

Izz-o'iaocarr
:25. or cos:
:5: or ram.“
:22: or FIGI.‘
1:5: or my

”tar-f:
w'a Lu

1. STA

II. RE

I“

II,

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEDICACION .

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF

LIST OF

LIST OF

CHAPTER
I.

II.

III.

TABLES .
FIGURES
APPENDICES .

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM .

Need . . . .
Hypotheses .
Assumptions
Definitions . .
Organization of the Thesis .

REVIEW OF LITERATURE .

Introduction .

Psychophysiological Differences Between Various.

Racial and Ethnic Groups . .
Psychophysiological Studies on Stress
Summary . . .

DESIGN .

Sample . .

Experimental Design
Stimulus Vignettes . . .
Preparation of the Subjects
Treatment Procedures .
Hypotheses . . . .

Analysis of Data .

Summary . .

iv

iii
iv
vi
vii

viii

\O \O \lflO‘U‘lI-d H

:24
.26

. 26
. 26
. 28
. 28
. 30
. 32
. 34
. 36

I Slfihy

Concl
Discu
Discr

Re?
Impli

BIBLIOGRAPHY
IEEIDICES .

TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued . . .)

CHAPTER
IV. ANALYSIS OF RESULTS .
Hypotheses for Respiration Rate .
Results for Respiration Rate . .
Vignettes in Relation to Rest Periods (RR)
Hypotheses for Respiration Depth .
Hypotheses for Heart Rate . . .
Hypotheses for Electrical Skin Conductance
V. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS .
Conclusions .
Discussion .
Discussion of Physiological Responses in
Relation to Psychological Reactions .
Implications for Future Research
BIBLIOGRAPHY .
APPENDICES .

4.5
5.1

TABLE

3.1

4.1

4.2

4.3

4.4

4.5
5.1

LIST OF TABLES

Experimental Design .

Repeated measures analysis of variance summary
table for respiration rate during vignette and
rest periods . . . . . . . . .

Repeated measures analysis of variance summary
table for respiration depth during vignette
and rest periods . . . . . . . . .

Repeated measures analysis of variance summary
table for heart rate during vignette and rest
periods . . . . . . . .

Repeated measures analysis of variance summary
table for electrical skin conductance (ESC1 and
ESCZ) during vignette and rest periods .
Summary of statistically significant findings

Summary of Analysis Comparing Subjects
Affected and Not Affected by Vignettes .

vi

39

. 46

. 51

. 58
. 66

. 84

II
II
I.3
II
4.5
La

5.7

4.11
4.12
4.13

4.14

LIST OF FIGURES

Respiration rates for subjects during
vignette periods . . . . .

Respiration rates for subjects during rest
periods . . . . .

Respiration rates for subjects during total
experimental period . . . .

Respiration depths for subjects during
vignette periods . . .

Respiration depths for subjects during rest
periods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Respiration depths for subjects during
total experimental period . . . . .

Heart rates for subjects during vignette
periods . . .

Heart rates for subjects during rest periods .

Heart rates for subjects during total
experimental period . .

Electrical skin conductance (ESCl) for subjects

during vignette periods . . . .

Electrical skin conductance (E802) for subjects

during vignette periods . . . .

Electrical skin conductance (ESC1 & ESCZ) for

subjects during rest periods . .

Electrical skin conductance (ESC ) for subjects

during total experimental period .

Electrical skin conductance (ESC ) for subjects

during total experimental period .

vii

. 44

. 47

. 49

. 52

. 54
. 55

56

60

61

. 62

. 64

. 65

“‘7'"

Giza:

.2 ”‘1',“ '7
-,, Lu J

3 VAR:

LIST OF APPENDICES

APPENDIX

A

B
C
D

GENERAL INFORMATION .

TEXT FOR VIGNETTES

SELECTED EXCERPTS FROM RECALL SESSIONS
VARIANCE DATA .

viii

109

Cur
research cc
very little
ofpeople t
for: the fc
iefinitive
attitudes.
legical an.
Sizulation
Sbtalning
V3591 deve
Fichigan s
and? will
PsychOphyE

'I":

(gird-her , ‘

11:1

CHAPTER I

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Need

 

Currently there exists a paucity of psychophysiological
research comparing different racial groups. Consequently,
very little is known about the psychOphysiological reactions
of people to another race. Such information could eventually
form.the foundation stones for some day discovering more
definitive answers about interracial relations and racial
attitudes. This study will measure and compare certain physio-
logical and psychological responses to stress-producing affect
simulation films by blacks and whites. The model used for
obtaining these measures grew out of the Interpersonal Recall
Medal developed by Dr. Norman Kagan, College of Education,
Michigan State University. It is also expected that this
study will serve to evaluate the use of this model in the
psychophysiological area.

The IPR.model has been described in detail elsewhere
(Archer, et. al., 1972; Kagan, 1975; Kagan, Krathwohl, and
Miller, 1963). The basic IPR.process involves videotaping of
a counseling session which is then played back to the partici-
pants. This allows the participants an opportunity to study,

and change their goals, motives or behaviors. The replay of

1

g5 videotaPe
3:;56101', OI
;::icip ant s'
1235. imageS,
The I
sifect sinul.
trolved in
effect sinul
revised vers
iii: looked
iztense rej
Eatavior .

A u
1Caical mor
lagical aCI
Pats View
plaYEd bag
then with
file recal]
m Only a
but also ‘
‘iere 80in
alld deal
allow the

I
studies I

Data has

2
the videotape (recall session) includes the presence of a
counselor, or inquirer whose function is to facilitate the
participants' self-analysis of their underlying thoughts, feel-
ings, images, and interaction patterns.

The IPR.model was later modified to include the use of
affect simulation films. Rather than have the participants
involved in one-to-one discussions, they were required to view
affect simulation films of a.more potent nature. In this
revised version of the IPanodel the actor or actress in the
film looked directly at the participant and engaged them in
intense rejection, affection, seductiveness, or guilt-producing
behavior. The recall session followed the viewing of the film.

A.more recent version of the IPR model included physio-
logical monitoring of the participants. Measures of physio-
logical activity were recorded and videotaped while partici-
pants viewed the simulation films. These recordings were then
played back to the viewers during the recall session providing
them with additional feedback to increase the effectiveness of
the recall. The use of physiological data provided participants
not only a chance to study their thoughts, feelings, and images,
but also "permit them literally to see what internal processes
were going on." Thus participants would be better able to see
and deal with any incongruities between what they recall or
allow themselves to recall and the physiological data.

Unfortunately, the results from.the physiological
studies have been inconclusive. Although the physiological

data has been useful in allowing participants to become aware

.5 ad acknow
ifficult to
112:. this I
:ifficulties
iifferent ph
fish will b
Whil
last decade
12th slow.
have been c
iictory fir
that black
7.965, John
found whit
TI.
(1) pSYCh.
Standing
ECthng.
5:938 he
threat p
(2) thre
1“ the f

“-h

kid Laz‘

nan

3' st;

3?
9‘ moti

3
of and acknowledge feelings previously denied, it has proved
difficult to pinpoint what particular physiological reactions
mean. This problem.has been further complicated by the
difficulties in analyzing the interrelationships between
different physiological measures. It is these problems
which will be confronted by the current study.

While racial research has increased rapidly over the
last decade, growth in the psychophysiological area has been
very slow. In addition, the psychophysiological studies which
have been carried out have more often than not found contra-
dictory findings. For example, some researchers have concluded
that blacks or Negroes have a higher skin resistance, Bernstein
1965, Johnson & Corah 1963, but Johnson and a new associate
found whites to have a higher skin resistance.

Two other areas where this study may prove useful are
(1) psychophysiological responses to stress, and (2) under-
standing the interpersonal processes in black-white inter-
actiOns. The majority of studies concerned with reactions to
stress have fallen into two major categories: (1) vicarious
threat produced through viewing of stress—arousing films, and
(2) threat usually produced through some form of deception.

In the former category, Lazarus (1964), Lazarus & Opton (1965),
and Lazarus, Speisman and Mbrdkoff (1963) have carried out
many studies and become the staunchest supporters for the use
of motion picture films. Lazarus and Opton (1965) state:

The use of this method was dictated by the

major difficulties inherent in the alternative
approaches to laboratory stress induction. The

usual
one k
But d
labor
the s
is be
expei
harm
dece
fool
adap
stir
amor
repe
11hr:
T‘n e

aflojred as
:ihis ass
Thus a fif
where the

:ea method

I.“
...<e Stres

4

usual laboratory approach involves deception of

one kind or another to threaten the subject.

But deception presents certain problems for

laboratory research on stress. For one thing,

the subject is likely to realize that the threat

is based on deception, since he assumes the

experimenter will not really allow any serious

harm to come to him" . .. Another limitation of

deception tactics is that subjects cannot be

fooled repeatedly; therefore, problems of

adaptation to stress, consistency versus

stimulus specificity in the response patterns

among individuals, and other problems requiring

repeated measures are difficu t to approach

through deception techniques.

Therefore the use of motion picture films have been
employed as sources of threat in this study. Where Lazarus
and his associates have relied on the method where a subject
views a film as an observer, the present study uses a method
where the subject is engaged by the film participants. This
new method provides what is hoped to be a more "real" life-
like stress situation. Perhaps the findings from the current
study will shed some light on the inconclusive results produced
in other stress studies reviewed in Chapter II.

Black and white educators, researchers, and social
scientists have long sought to gain a better understanding of
the interpersonal processes taking place during black—white
interactions. This has been of particular interest to counsel-
ors and psychologists concerned with the black-white thera-
peutic session. Are black counselors more effective with
black clients than white counselors? Are white counselors
more effective with white clients than black counselors? The
answers to these and other similar questions can hopefully be-

come clearer by looking at black-white interactions through a

:easurenene
:esoiratio
skin condu

It

3750' aggre

r4

psychophysiological perspective. A perspective which, as
pointed out earlier, has not often been applied in racial
research. It is one of the aims of this study to seek basic
foundation information which may eventually contribute to
finding answers to these types of questions.

It should also be noted that of the few psychophysio-
logical studies concerned with racial comparisons the great
‘majority of them were concerned only with GSmeeasures. Very
few analyzed other physiological measures. The physiological
measurements to be used in this study are heart rate (HR),
respiration rate (RR), respiration depth (RD), and electrical
skin conductance (ESC).

The affect simulation films chosen for this study por-

tray aggression by black and white actors and actresses.

Hypotheses

 

The questions of major importance to this study are:

1. Are there significant differences between blacks
and whites on heart rate, respiration rate,
respiration depth, and electrical skin conductance.

2. Are there significant differences for blacks on
heart rate, respiration rate, respiration depth,
and electrical skin conductance.

3. Are there significant differences for whites on
heart rate, respiration rate, respiration depth,
and electrical skin conductance.

4. Are there significant interactions between any of

The
:::e evi denI

: troot'neSI

to. ntary c

accurr ing :'

Etclation
K
1.
.,.::: -
=“‘*Clen:
SEE-fleets.
21

3

6
the design variables (race, vignettes, rest periods)
on heart rate, respiration rate, respiration depth,
and electrical skin conductance?
The origin and importance of these questions will be-
come evident in Chapter II. These questions are also presented

as hypotheses in testable form in Chapter III.

Assumptions

 

Physiological

 

1. Individuals will exert little, if any, direct
voluntary control of the autonomic physiological responses

occurring in this experiment.

Simulation Films

 

l. The affect simulation films used in this study are
sufficiently realistic to stimulate emotional arousal in the
subjects.

2. Vignettes one and five are comparatively equal in
content and intensity.

3. Vignettes three and six are comparatively equal in
content and intensity.

4. The total measuring period is sufficiently short to

prevent habituation.

Recall Session

 

1. Subjects can introspectively assess with reasonable
validity what their attitudes, and feelings were toward the

affect simulation films.

electrical

aztivit‘ .

I 7' A

'~. :18ch I
m

29.: minute

 

7
2. Subjects are both willing and able to communicate
their attitudes and feelings toward the affect simulation films

faithfully to the experimenter.

Definitions

 

1. Physiological Reactivity refers to autonomic functions.

 

2. Eccrine Sweat Activity is a particular form of sweat res-

 

ponse that originates in the eccrine sweat glands.

3. Electrical Skin Conductance (ESC) is a measure of an

 

electrical property of the skin related to eccrine sweat gland
activity.

4. Heart Rate (HR) refers to the number of myocardial cycles

 

per minute.

5. Respiratory Rate (RR) is the number of breaths per minute.

 

6. Respiratory Depth (RD) is the amplitude of breaths.

 

Organization of the Thesis
The dissertation is divided into five chapters. In
Chapter I the statement of the problem was discussed.
In Chapter II the theory and research literature perti-
nent to this study is summarized and reviewed. The literature
is divided into three major categories:

1. Studies comparing psychophysiological reactions
to different races.

2. Studies on psychological reactivity to anxiety
and interpersonal stress.

3. Studies on physiological reactivity to anxiety
and interpersonal stress.

"ne me
seized in Chap
szatistical me
:ezested, am

In Ch

:5 significar
Chap *-

Iterpretati

8

The methodology and procedures of the study are pre-
sented in Chapter III. Information is included on the
statistical methods used in the data analyses, hypotheses to
be tested, and design of the study.

In Chapter IV the data analyses and results are pre-
sented. The hypotheses are restated and followed by statements
of significance.

Chapter V is a discussion of the results with conclusions,

interpretations, and implications for future research.

ln
he re
:cncerned
racial am
05 psycho

3"; LI: anxi

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Introduction

 

In this chapter, the literature pertinent to this study
will be reviewed. Major emphasis will be given to research
concerned with psychophysiological factors between different
racial and ethnic groups. A cursory review will be presented
of psychological and physiological studies generally dealing
with anxiety and interpersonal stress.

Psychophysiological Differences Between
Various Racial and Ethnic Groups

Over the last two decades the amount of literature and
research concerned with the problems, needs, and differences
between various racial and ethnic groups has increased immensely.
This has been particularly true in the social science areas
such as sociology, social work, racial and ethnic studies, and
psychology. One specific area where a significant increase in
research has not taken place is the area of psychophysiology.
For whatever reasons, investigators have been slow in generating
research which compares racial and ethnic groups across psycho-
physiological factors. This was evident in the review by
Sattler (1970) in which he cited only three psychophysiological

studies.

One Of

scare racial

.25

5), The e
21c college :
a: white exp
ifferential

response bein
:o the experi
arena-enters
'aiich, among
:6 Campbell
fitting the p
"torovenent
EQEOYed onl
5315 Lott inc
It ShOllld bg
findings We:
attempts at
fates pSYCh

in generati

10

One of the first psychophysiological studies which did
compare racial groups was carried out by Rankin and Campbell
(1955). The authors compared Galvanic Skin Responses of white,
male college students to incidental contacts by a "negro”
and white experimenter. Results showed a highly significant
differential response to the two experimenters with the greater
response being made to the negro. This differential response
to the experimenters was attributed to differences in race of
experimenters. Porier and Lott (1967) conducted a study in
which, among other things, they tried to replicate the Rankin
and Campbell study. The authors were not successful in repro-
ducing the previous findings and they attributed this to
"improvements" in procedure. Whereas, Rankin and Campbell
employed only one negro and one white experimenter, Porier
and Lott increased their sample and utilized a group of each.
It should be noted that even though the Rankin and Campbell
findings were not reproduced it was still one of the first
attempts at viewing the differences and similarities between
races psychophysiologically. The study was also instrumental
in generating more research in the area.

A study by Bernstein (1965) also looked at the
physiological effects of examiners' race on subjects. In
this case the procedure was changed and the measures were
basal skin impedance and spontaneous electrodermal fluctuations.
However, the results were the same as Porier's and Lott's with
the race of the examiner not affecting the subjects' responses

in a significantly different manner. An interesting finding

:‘nat negroe
;; resistance I
3:5 58.29 find
subjECts
various drugs
5.13:.son and L
::::'uc:ance w
It should be
studies, gror
geriods. Ap
:esistanee C
re presence
if the stud

eLectrodem

T:lnerable
etions may

Tn
iztereStir
iificantlj
"1th the .
ghether 12
Other fat

:tlin % S .

Der-1» ‘
5.-
Hedi

11
was that negroes had a reliably higher basal skin impedance
or resistance than whites regardless of the examiners' race.
This same finding was obtained by Juniper and Dykman (1967)
with subjects undergoing gastric analysis and/or taking
various drugs and by Johnson and Corah (1963). In addition,
Johnson and Landon (1965) found blacks to have a lower skin
conductance which is equal to having a higher skin resistance.
It should be pointed out that in the two Johnson, et al.,
studies, group differences were obtained during prolonged rest
periods. Apparently, negro subjects display a higher skin
resistance or lower skin conductance whether at rest or in
the presence of an examiner. It should be noted that in none
of the studies was this difference obtained on the spontaneous
electrodermal fluctuations measure. Bernstein offered as a
possible explanation that basal skin levels may be quite
vulnerable to external influences while spontaneous fluctu-
ations may be invulnerable to such influence, or both.

The Bernstein study produced perhaps, an even more
interesting finding. Subjects, regardless of race, had sig-
nificantly higher impedance levels with the white examiner than
'with the negro examiner. The unanswered question, then, is
whether the difference is due to race between examiners or to
other factors such as appearance, mannerisms, or more subtle
things.

Westie and De Fleur (1959) conducted an earlier study
pertinent to this research. The researchers compared white

males and females, prejudiced and unprejudiced on a GSR

easure while
3115,16 33d pa
1} grejudiced
2;;rejudiced
azuiy by Vldl
results but

111': negro-w
sex or attit
:':=5. to slic
higher GSRs
as compared
findings ir

related to

12

measure while they viewed slides of negroes and whites in
single and paired situations. The results indicated that
1) prejudiced §§_showed higher GSRs toward negro slides than
unprejudiced S3 in the single person slides. A.more recent
study by Vidulich and Krevanick (1966) produced the same
results but in addition they found 1) significance for slides
with negro-white interactions; 2) all subjects, regardless of
sex or attitude, had higher GSRs to slides portraying males
than to slides portraying females; and 3) all subjects showed
higher GSRs toward slides portraying persons of the same sex
as compared to mixed sex pairs. Among other things, these
findings indicate that attitudinal predispositions were
related to some extent to their autonomic response pattern
and "a person's autonomic responses are influenced by the
racial and sexual categories of the attitude object, and the
ways attitude objects were paired together." Westie and
De Fleur stated that the importance of their research lies in
the indications that attitudinal responses include autonomdc
physiological activity that is related to persons' attitudes
and their responses should be regarded as "another dimension
of attitudinal behavior to be considered along with the verbal
and overt action dimensions." The authors also emphasized
another very important point:

It is easy to fall into thinking, especially

when the stimuli are "race objects," that high

response indicates a negative attitude.

Actually, such responses could be due to a

number of conditions. Conflicting feelings,

indecision, or even positive involvement might
result in large autonomic responses (p. 346).

Laincidentally .
56 after the w'
:32?“ and P011
staterents were
ford that sub,
:':ject of a "n
:er'oal stateme
ao'oject of :
refuel Staten.
.':etefore, or
at: similar :
The '
(1957) also
3-5 prejudice
the negro e:
nearly. th
from WeStie
illere Was
at Slides .
In
lOOked at
resistance
higher 1e
with John
A
activity

l3
Coincidentally, in a series of studies conducted both before
and after the Westie-De Fleur study, Cooper and Singer (1956),
Cooper and Pollock (1959), and Cooper (1969), the authors'
statements were substantiated. In all three studies it was
found that subjects displayed greater GSR arousal when an
object of a "negative prejudicial attitude" was exposed to
verbal statements strongly complimenting the object, and when
an object of a "positive prejudicial attitude" was exposed to
verbal statements which strongly complimented the object.
Therefore, one must be cautious in interpreting the results of
any similar study.

The previously mentioned study by Porier and Lott
(1967) also used prejudice as a blocking variable. The GSRs
of prejudiced subjects were higher when they had contact with
the negro experimenter than with the white experimenter.
Clearly, these findings are very much in agreement with data
from westie and De Fleur and perhaps more significant in that
there was actual physical contact rather than merely looking
at slides.

In a more recent study, Fisher and Kotses (1973) also
looked at experimenter race effects on GSR. On the basal
resistance levels measures negro subjects evidenced significantly
higher levels than did caucasians. This finding was consistent
with Johnson and Corah (1963).

Another significant finding was the higher GSR re-

activity for caucasian.§§ paired with a negro experimenter.

.‘:e authors 91
g "aovelty . H
Lee far less
:':ereby intro
:1 This has
gavel situatf
11960), and I
gcsitive rel
reactivity.

locked at 1:5

as any nega1

fei signifi
condition c
931? the ca
EOOthesiz;
Z‘Dl‘e Sens i.
reactiVity

It
Studies cc
almost ex;
resistal'ICI
llaVe IESe
EeaSUIES
in a curs
ital-€83

o

msaningfr

14
The authors explained this finding in terms of the differences
in "novelty." Specifically, "social interactions with negroes
is a far less frequent event for caucasian than for negro SE,
thereby introducing a further element of novelty for caucasian
‘§§. This has the effect of making the negro E condition a more
novel situation for caucasian §§ than for negro S3." Grings
(1960), and Grings, Carlin, and Appley (1962) also found a
positive relationship between stimulus novelty and GSR
reactivity. In addition to GSR reactivity, Fisher and Kotses
looked at the frequency of spontaneous fluctuations (defined
as any negative deflection of the recording pen to the ex-
clusion of movement artifact). It was found that all subjects
had significantly more spontaneous GSRs in the "other-race"
condition compared to the GSR reactivity measurements where
only the caucasians had a higher response level. The authors
hypothesized that the spontaneous fluctuation measure may be
more sensitive in assessing novel situations than the GSR
reactivity measure.

It might be evident by now that the psychophysiological
studies comparing responses of black and white subjects dealt
almost exclusively with measures of GSR, skin potential, skin
resistance or closely-related measures. Only occasionally
have researchers reported comparisons on other autonomic
measures and in these infrequent cases the data are presented
in a cursory manner as minor aspects of their studies. Never-
theless, the data obtained from.these "other" measures is

meaningful particularly to the present study which utilizes the

eesures of be
121111, as well
attioned West
gabeyond the
Westie
passes of the
rifles. lute
3'43'f8cts dist
":0 the White
relationship
the other ha
ll“? betWeer
i3-63 greater
The
“ autono
Iliel'going
Expermeflte
M the ca
finding is
uSe 0f Clix
TI
sentimed
treasureg
Systolic
the Skin
these me

15
'measures of heart rate, respiration rate, and respiration
depth, as well as electrical skin conductance. The afore-
mentioned Westie and De Fleur study was one study which did
go beyond the measurement of GSR.

westie and De Fleur measured finger pulse (FP) res-
ponses of their subjects while viewing slides of negroes and
whites. Interestingly, the researchers found that prejudiced
subjects displayed smaller FP responses to negro slides than
to the white slides. In other words, there was an inverse
relationship between degree of prejudice and FF activity. On
the other hand, as noted earlier, there was a direct relation-
ship between prejudice and GSR with prejudiced subjects show-
ing greater GSR responses to the negro slides.

The study by Gentry (1972) used blood pressure as the
only autonomic measure. The findings were that black subjects
undergoing direct interpersonal verbal attack by a white peer
experimenter had elevated diastolic blood pressure. This was
not the case for the subjects who were not attacked. This
finding is especially important since the current study makes
use of direct verbal attack on subjects through fihm.

The two studies by Johnson, et al., previously
mentioned also made use of other autonomic measures. These
measures included heart rate, respiration rate, skin temperature,
systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure. Unlike
the skin conductance and skin resistance measures, none of
these measures showed significant differences between blacks

and whites. An important point, however, is that all of these

:easures were

:eriods 0f 51

2’.

One

':e the physi
stress situa
studies haVI
sixty, the :
atalyzing a
The
sectional a
Ornultidir
position (I
fighitude .
tion or ar
ngical ac
irive, the
the diIec1
midimens;
an inCrea
rate (DYR
St‘ddies 1,,
Skin resj
and thus
Figure 2

dimens 10.

16

measures were taken during resting periods and not during

periods of stimulation.

PsychophysiologiCal'Studies on Stress

One of the major questions in this study is what will
be the physiological reaponses of blacks and whites to the
stress situations (vignettes periods). Although previous
studies have not used the same stress stimuli employed in this
study, the findings from other stress studies may be useful in
analyzing and interpreting the results of this research.

The major researchers involved in work concerned with
emotional arousal and/or stress primarily take a unidimensional
or multidimensional theoretical stance. The unidimensional
position (Cannon, 1936; Duffy, 1957; Malmo, 1959) views the
magnitude of an autonomic response as the "degree" of activa-
tion or arousal. Lacey (1958) says, "They assert that physio-
logical activation processes are part of the mechanisms of
drive, that these processes reveal the intensive rather than
the directional aspects of behavior. . .". According to the
unidimensional position, a stress reaction generally involves
an increase in heart rate, skin conductance, and respiration
rate (Dykman, et al., 1963; Ax, 1953; Martin, 1961). Many
studies have preferred the measurement of skin potential or
skin resistance which are inversely related to skin conductance
and thus decrease during stress (Learmonth, et al., 1959) (see
Figure 2.1). This is only a brief explanation of the uni-

dimensional perspective but it is not viewed as critical to

acsition and

:ersoective.

re unidime
1erspective
1958) , one
;e:tive, S'

In
wi
re
me
e)
01
be

HB'UHQ

Lacey nan

SPECificj

aid renat

17
the present study. It is presented only to acknowledge its
position and provide possible contrast to the multidimensional
perspective.

The multidimensional view of emotional and stress
arousal is viewed as much more germane to the current study
because it is more of a psychophysiological perspective than
the unidimensional view which is more of a physiological
perspective. Lacey (Lacey, et al., 1953; Lacey & Lacey,
1958), one of the first proponents of the multidimensional pers-
pective, stated:

In these studies it is shown that 83 respond

with an hierarchy of activation, being

relatively over-active in some physiological

measures, under-active in others, while

exhibiting average reactivity in still

others. These patterns of response seem to

be idiosyncratic; each 33' pattern is differ-

ent. . .. For a given set of autonomic func-

tions, 88 tend to respond with an idiosyncratic

pattern of autonomic activations in which maxi-

mal activation is shown by the same physio-

logical function, whatever the stress (p. 50).

Lacey named this phenomenon "the principle of relative response-
specificity."

After testing the principle of relative response-
specificity, Lacey and his associates revised the hypothesis
and renamed it "situational stereotype."

The revised hypothesis states that the entire

pattern of hierarchy of response is reproduc-

ible over different stressor-episodes, and that

continuous quantitative variation among 83

exists in the degree to which they exhibit

stereotype (reproducibility) of their
pattern of response (p. 50).

T12 key words
rang 85 exit
{reproducib i'.
:.i his asso

l)S

2)

tetive diff
to stressor
17m in the

The
313.“ as La:
adIiIESSed.
literactio
33.0 the ii".

Or
"appraISa:
harmfulrle

A. (n m H.

-

*L‘J

Plying

r)
1.1)

1to a.

18
The key words here are, "continuous quantitative variation
among Ss exists in the degree to which they exhibit stereotypy
(reproducibility) of their pattern of response." What Lacey
and his associates are saying is:

1) 88 have a hierarchy of activation and the

patterns of response seem to be idiosyncratic
whatever the stressor;

2) Ss display their response-hierarchy in a

quantitatively different manner from one

stressor to another.
Then, what are the factors or variables which lead to quanti-
tative differences in 83' response-hierarchies from.stressor
to stressor? In other words, what causes the apparent break-
down in the response-hierarchy?

These are precisely the types of questions which people
such as Lazarus, Wenger, Opton, Averill and others have
addressed. In short, their objective has been to look at the
interaction between the influences of the situation or stressor
and the individual's peculiarities.

One of the key concepts in this interaction is
"appraisal," or the evaluation by an individual of the potential
harmfulness of an event or interaction. As stated by Speisman,
Lazarus, Mordkoff, and Davison (1964):

Threat occurs when a cue signifies to the
individual that a harmful confrontation or

experience may be anticipated. . .. Thus, the

same stimmlus may be either a stressor or not,

depending upon the nature of the cognitive

appraisal the person makes regarding the sig-

nificance for him (p. 367).

Applying the above to the current research, it would seem criti-

cal to analyze any group differences in terms of the possible

fictions to :
Lazarus and 0'
”secondary ap
:'etermines th

iziividual us

:am Lazan

cess
defex
juda:
stinr
sign
rega
is d
in t
twee
Depe
the
thr.

A s
S'épport for
510mm of t
mEthod USe<
Either a n
track whil
In the der

c.
.1 .
111 were

 

SO‘md tra«

 

l9
appraisals made of the stimulus films.

Prior to reviewing the research data relevant to the
concept of appraisal in psychological stress, it should be
noted that there is a closely related coping process which
functions to reduce or eliminate any anticipated harm.
Lazarus and Opton (1970) have labeled this second process as
"secondary appraisal." This secondary appraisal or reappraisal
determines the c0ping processes and defense mechanisms an
individual uses in attempting to deal with the anticipated
harm. Lazarus and Opton (1970) state:

There is a close link between the pro-

cess of threat appraisal and the concept of

defense mechanism. The former is an initial

judgement concerning the harmful portent of a

stimulus. The latter is a reappraisal of the

significance of a stimulus that was once

regarded as threatening, but whose threat now

is denied, isolated, projected, etc. Viewed

in this way, there is a close connection be-

tween appraisal and reappraisal, or defense.

Depending on the interplay of these processes,

the same objective stimulus may or may not be

threatening (p. 244).

A study by Speisman, et al., (1964) provided strong
support for the preposition that appraisal is important to the
amount of threat a stimulus presents to an individual. The
method used in this study had one group of subjects listen to
either a "trauma," "denial," or "intellectualization" sound
track while watching the stress—producing film, subincision.
In the denial sound track the stress-producing features of the
film were denied, or downplayed. In the intellectualization

sound track the stress features were not denied but pointed out

features, pc
2e importer
ing to the
less stress
zere inter;
stress or 1
'3; how it 1
In
the method
501315. that
start of f
3128 and ‘
tracks (in
results 1
Subjects

in a les:

COuld 81
the 1011

autonom

20
in a technical manner without emotion.much as one would ex-
plain an operation technique to medical students. The third
sound track, the trauma track, emphasized the stressful
features, pointing out the pain experienced by the participants.
The important findings of the study were that subjects listen—
ing to the denial or intellectualization sound tracks diSplayed
less stress than those in the trauma track. These findings
were interpreted as providing support for the proposition that
stress or threat produced by a stimulus is greatly determined
by how it is appraised.

In a similar study Lazarus and Alfert (1964) modified
the methodology employed by Speisman, et a1. These researchers
found that subjects listening to the sound tracks before the
start of films responded.with less stress (lower skin conduct-
ance and heart rate levels) than those listening to the sound
tracks during the filmis showing. The authors explained the
results in terms of a "short-circuiting" effect, meaning that
subjects expected less stressful situations and thus responded
in a less stressful manner.

In another study (Rankin, Nomikos, Opton, and Lazarus,
1965) the role of anticipation or expectations of stressful
scenes was examined. The "short-anticipation group" was given
little warning before the stressful scene (a workman putting
his hand in a saw blade) while the "long-anticipation" group
could see the stressful scene developing. It was found that
the long-anticipation group showed more stress as evidenced by

autonomic indicators. The results were explained thusly:

This is
the ap;
impendl
with hz
TeaCtlx
A: thi
eagles using
:':ject numbe:J
".:g or stress-
Lagical activ
also appraise
rue-yer, he g

:cgmg proces

:e:reased ph’

r...

s the perso

K I“

e threateni

1ha:
weica]. act:

 

21

This is consistent with the idea that it is

the appraisal of threat--of potential or

impending harm--rather than the confrontation

‘with harm itself that produces the stress

reaction (p. 254).

At this point it might prove useful to give some
examples using the Lacey-Lazarus approach. First there is
subject number one (81) who appraises the stimulus as threaten-
ing or stress-producing and responds with increased physio-
logical activity (PA). Second is subject number two (32) who
also appraises the stimulus as threatening or stress-producing,
however, he goes through a secondary appraisal, determining
coping processes and defense mechanisms and leading to a
decreased physiological activity (PA). The third subject (S3)
is the person who appraises the stimulus and finds it not to
be threatening or stressful and also shows decreased physio-
logical activity (PA). Thus, S1 would differ physiological
from $2 and 83 while 82 and 83 would appear not to differ from
each other physiologically. However, it would seem.unlike1y
that the lack of differences in physiological activity between
$2 and S3 reflects comparable states. The problem then is
when does a decreased physiological pattern reflect a non-
threatening, non-stressful stimulus or a threatening, stress-
ful stimulus that has been coped with through some defense
mechanism, Stated differently, what are the characteristics
of the persons who use their defense mechanisms vs. the persons
who do not?

Some researchers have tried to solve this problem by

comparing different personality types. Martin (1972) compared

:5 phySiOIOE
agathi-zers"
fiziing was
sections tc
Q1959) had 1
:53 were:

1.

J1
rate, res
neurotics
51]- three
four1d am
blood £1
E: .,
“*Tfllngg
ECtiVitx
Does th'.
mil or

Zechani

22
the physiological patterns of "thinkers," "feelers," "high
empathizers" to stimulated emotions on video tape. His major
finding was that feelers were more open to exploring their
reactions to the stimuli than thinkers. A study by Learmonth
(1959) had two findings related to this research. The find-
ings were:

1. The increase of fluctuation of palmar potential

in response to stress is negatively correlated
with a group of personality variables that have
in common the element of expressivity.

2. The increase of fluctuations of palmar potential
in response to stress is correlated positively
with a group of personality variables that have
in common the restraint and curtailment of un-
pleasant or prohibited feelings and actions.

Jurko, Jost, and Hill (1952) measured the respiration
rate, respiration variability, and heart rate of normals,
neurotics, and schizophrenics during a testing session. On
all three measures the normals were lower. Kelley (1968) also
found anxious patients to have twice as great a basal forearm
blood flow as controls. Malmo (1957) summarized many of his
findings, and stated that anxious patients show greater re-
activity in many measures regardless of the kind of stress used.
Does this mean anxious patients are less easily threatened
and/or feel stress, or are they less able to activate defense
nechanisms?

More recently Roessler (1973) summarized a number of
his studies and concluded "it was therefore those 83 high in

anxiety who were least responsive. This is a result directly

opposite to the widely held belief that trait anxiety is

associated W‘-
giyious poi“
film and R0
7.5:: in PSYC

goes. Ave}

:Lusion and

In
ibi
tra
at
3??
pei
com
in

S;ecifical

23
associated with greater physiological responsivity." The
obvious point is the inconsistency in findings between the
Malmo and Roessler studies, an inconsistency that seems preva-
lent in psychophysiological studies comparing personality
types. Averill and Option (1968) also reached a similar con-
clusion and stated:
In general, we are pessimistic about the poss-
ibility of successfully reducing personality
traits to underlying physiological mechanisms,
at least for the foreseeable future. It
appears unlikely that normal variations in
personality are greatly dependent upon ross
constitutional differences in physiolog cal
functioning (p. 283);
Specifically, the authors pointed out:
a) most correlations between psychophysiological
reactions and personality measures are very low,
and b) there is little overlap among studies;
that is, only rarely is it possible to say that
the results of any two experiments reinforce or
contradict each other; each experimenter has used

a unique combination of eliciting stimuli, psycho-

physgoépgical measures, and personality measures
p. 8 .

Overall, it would appear that there are many inconsist-
ent findings in the area of psychophysiological research.
Whether one compares blacks to whites, personality types, or
different stress situations, many questions remain unanswered.
However, important to this study is the non-use of inter-
personal situations as treatments in any of the aforementioned
studies. The IPR method employed in this study offers an
Opportunity to engage the subject, through film, in a direct
interpersonal interaction instead of viewing a film from.a

detached position as is done so often. Hopefully, the IPR

athod will F

“.:gzcal ques1

The
jagsiologicz
research ha
':a: very l
gsychophys i
efzen cont]
consistent
:ajority 0
Cf black-s
actions a:

and skin .

24
method will provide more insight into the many psychophysio-

logical questions still left unanswered.

Summary

The first studies reviewed in this chapter compared the
physiological reactions of blacks and whites. Although racial
research has increased over the last two decades, it was found
that very little had been generated in the physiological and
psychophysiological areas. It was also found that the studies
often contradicted each others findings and there was little
consistency in results and methodologies. It seemed that a
majority of the studies cited dealt primarily with the effects
of black-white experimenters on subjects' physiological re-
actions and were often limited to the GSR, skin resistance,
and skin conductance measures.

The second area reviewed in this chapter was research
concerned with the psychophysiological effects of stress. The
two major theoretical positions were reviewed. The first posi-
tion, unidimensional, views exposure to stress or threat as
leading to a general increase in all physiological activity.
Emphasis is on degree of activation and not direction of acti—
vation. The multidimensional position sees subjects as having
a hierarchy of activation with an idiosyncratic response pattern.
Also, subjects display this hierarchy in a quantitatively
different manner with different stresses. This position is
Often referred to as the situational stereotypy. More recently

researchers have been looking at the interaction between the

:ihences 0f
:ecaiiarities
ations to 51'
studies have
hastening

15.1101
1e: by comp.
these studi

The
and whites
to interpe:
ice reacti=
meats by

Fecal]. Mod

25
influences of the situation or stresses and the individual's
peculiarities to hopefully determine what causes different re-
actions to different stressors. In line with this a number of
studies have dealt with subjects' cognitive appraisal of
threatening situations and their subsequent coping styles.

Another group of researchers have attacked this prob-
lem.by comparing different personality types. Unfortunately,
these studies have not proven very fruitful.

There is a clear paucity of literature comparing blacks
and whites psychophysiologically, and individuals' reactions
to interpersonal stress situations. This study will compare
the reactions of blacks and whites to direct interpersonal
threats by blacks and whites through use of the Interpersonal
Recall Mbdel.

I“.
graduate a
:ales and
iomitory
raged fr
23.8. Nc
physiolog
ligical 1
53m was

A

’:Pjiendix

design \
replica
Variabl
Subj ect
trial c

(SEQ Ta

CHAPTER III

DESIGN

Sample

Twenty subjects were chosen from.among male under-
graduate students at Michigan State University. Ten black
males and ten white males were randomly selected outside of a
dormitory dining room.during the 1975 summer session. Ages
ranged from 19 to 38 years, with a mode of 20 and a mean of
20.8. None of the subjects reported any abnormalities in
physiological functioning or previous participation in physio-
logical experiments prior to this study. A general information
form was used to collect these and other background data (see

Appendix A).

Experimental Design
A balanced repeated measures design was used with all
design variables fixed and crossed with each other except for
replications which are random.and nested within the race
variable. Subjects served as their own controls and each
subject (S) was exposed to six experimental trials. Each
trial consisted of a vignette (V) followed by a rest (R) period.

(See Table 3.1 for a diagram of the design.)

26

cmpmvo poutmET.wau ~.m 0.06..

27

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

. m

. h

. H

. I

. 3
_._.m

opm uu<m

. x

. u

. <

. 4

. m
J
mpazou m_mz mpazou m—azou mPuEwm mFez .5
som_m mews: vmxpz mu_;: mu_;z xanm mu
PL
3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

moonmq 4<hzmzummaxm

cmwmma Popcmevcmaxm

~.m open»

The

labeled 8%

Typescrig

E4-"9103y'ec'
fleets we
:inimiz.
P01Ygra
Electri
death.

pr(Mitch

28

Stflmulus Vignettes

 

The emotion portrayed in the six color vignettes was
labeled aggression. This emotion was portrayed as follows:
Vignette #l A black male
Vignette #2 A.white female
Vignette #3 A white couple

Vignette #4 A racially mixed couple (white female
& black male)

Vignette #5 A white male
Vignette #6 A black couple

Typescripts and descriptions of the vignettes appear in Appendix B.

Preparation of the Subjects

Subject preparation procedures were similar to those
employed by Martin (1972) with some minor changes. All sub-
jects were measured between late afternoon and evening to
udnimize any effects due to time of day. A four-channel Grass
Polygraph Recorder (Mbdel 7P4D) was used to record heart rate,
electrical skin conductance, respiration rate, and respiration
depth. The subjects were prepared according to the following
procedures.

1. Each subject was required to wash and dry his
hands.

2. Heart rate was measured by two silver/silver
chloride electrodes with diameters of two
centimeters. One electrode was attached to
the sternum and one electrode was attached

on the left side about twelve centimeters

29
below the central axillary region. The elec-
trodes led to a Heart Rate Monitor and then to
the Polygraph Recorder. A heart rate monitor
and stimulator were used to monitor the HR

and to calibrate the heart rate recorder.

. Electrical skin conductance also was measured

by two silver/silver chloride electrodes with
diameters of two centimeters. One electrode
was attached to the left palm and the other
electrode was attached about five centimeters
below the left elbow on the volar side. The
electrodes led to a Hagfors Bridge (Venables &
Martin, 1967), which was connected to the Poly-
graph Recorder.

Respiration rate and depth were measured by a
mercury—in—a-rubber-strain-gauge attached to an
elastic belt. The belt was wrapped around the
lower rib cage and tightened to 10-20% of its
original length. The strain gauge was connected

to a Pleythysmograph and then to the Polygraph.

. The electrode surfaces for heart rate were

covered with Hewlitt-Packard Redux conductive
jelly. The electrode surfaces for electrical skin
conductance were covered with a mixture of Hewlitt-
Packard Unibase and normal saline solution.

. Temperature in the experimental room was kept be-

tween 68-72 degrees F.

Ere-Emerita
#-
One
.7... 4 1 a‘
:‘J"S.OLOgJ-C

L25 CI’dCthl‘

ExDer'
Q

ing 3 ev
EnvirOI
Perio Cl
SQQHE S
in: 1113

Del-10¢

30

Treatment Procedures

 

Pre-Experimental Period

 

Once the subject was seated and connected to the
physiological equipment, he was read the following set of
instructions:

Please make yourself comfortable and try to
relax for the next few minutes. This will
allow the electrodes to make good contact
with the skin. Now, you are going to watch
a series of short scenes on the screen
directly in front of you. Try to imagine
that the persons or person is in this room
and is talking directly and personally to
you. Make an effort to really get into what
is happening in the scenes. After each
scene, there will be a short rest period.
During this time try to remove yourself as

much as possible from the previous scene.

Experimental Period

 

Subjects were presented the six vignettes after allow-
ing several minutes for relaxation and acclimation to the new
environment. Each vignette was followed by a one minute rest
period. Physiological responses were recorded prior to the
scenes to obtain a baseline during the viewing of scenes and
during the rest periods for a total of thirteen measurement

periods.

follOWEd t.
rented to
Process Re

1.

31

Post-Experimental Period

 

An Interpersonal Process Recall Session (Kagan 1963)
followed the experimental period with the subject still con-
nected to the physiological equipment. The Interpersonal
Process Recall Session was conducted as follows:

1. The experimenter entered the room and turned
on a television set showing a split-screen
video tape of the subject, his physiological
responses and the audio portion of the
vignettes during the experimental period.

2. The subject was instructed to view the
television playback and try to recall his
underlying thoughts, feelings, images, and
general pattern of interaction during the
experimental period. The experimenter's
function was to facilitate the subject's
self-analysis using the feedback provided
by the television set and the subject. The
experimenter controlled a remote control
device to stop the video playback whenever
the subject wanted to verbalize thoughts
and feelings.

3. The recall session was taped on a cassette
player and a second experimenter, stationed
near the Polygraph Recorder, noted the sub-
ject's comments on each vignette on his

original physiological paper record. This

The psycho?
muse an

current st

T:
Lents bee
in Chapte
surmise c'
each of «

“Rated

32
provided psychological responses which
coincided with physiological responses.
4. Subjects were instructed.not to discuss
any details of the experiment with anyone.
The psychological data collected during the recall session is
immense and a full analysis would be beyond the scope of the

current study. These data are summarized briefly in Chapter V.

Hypotheses

 

The hypotheses were presented as nondirectional state-
ments because of the study's exploratory nature. As outlined
in Chapters I and II there is insufficient data available to
surmise directional results. All hypotheses were tested for
each of the six vignette periods, and seven rest periods using
repeated measures analyses of variance with alpha level set
at .05.

Hypothesis 1) There will be no significant difference between
blacks and whites on respiration rate.

Hypothesis 2) There will be no significant difference between
vignettes on respiration rate.

Hypothesis 3) There will be no significant difference between
rest periods on respiration rate.

Hypothesis 4) There will be no significant interaction between
race of subjects and vignettes on respiration
rate.

Hypothesis 5) There will be no significant interaction between
race of subjects and rest periods on respiration

rate.

Epothesis

Epothesis

Emmhesis

Easel-thesis

Epothesi

Efy'pothes

:YPOthes

U»
Wothe

H"Heath.

flYpmzh

Hypothesis

Hypothesis

Hypothesis

Hypothesis

Hypothesis

Hypothesis

Hypothesis

Hypothesis

Hypothesis

Hypothesis

Hypothesis

Hypothesis

6)

7)

8)

9)

10)

ll)

12)

13)

14)

15)

l6)

17)

33

There will be no significant difference between
blacks and whites on respiration depth.

There will be no significant difference between
vignettes on respiration depth.

There will be no significant difference between
rest periods on respiration depth.

There will be no significant interaction between
race of subjects and vignettes on respiration
depth.

There will be no significant interaction between
race of subjects and rest periods on respiration
depth.

There will be no significant difference between
blacks and whites on heart rate.

There will be no significant difference between
vignettes on heart rate.

There will be no significant difference between
rest periods on heart rate.

There will be no significant interaction between
race of subjects and vignettes on heart rate.
There will be no significant interaction between
race of subjects and rest periods on heart rate.
There will be no significant difference between
blacks and whites on electrical skin conductance.
There will be no significant difference between

vignettes on electrical skin conductance.

'amothes‘is

erthESlS

‘lr

isothesi:

{atlases

Tate ’ .

C

34

Hypothesis 18) There will be no significant difference be-
tween rest periods on electrical skin conductance.

Hypothesis 19) There will be no significant interaction be-
tween race of subjects and vignettes on heart
rate.

Hypothesis 20) There will be no significant interaction be-
tween race of subjects and rest periods on

electrical skin conductance.

Analysis of Data

The study contained the following three design variables:
1. Race of subjects: Black or White
2. Vignettes: V1, V2, V3, V4, V5, V6

3. Rest Periods: R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6’ R7

The four dependent variables were physiological res-
ponses of heart rate, electrical skin conductance, respiration
rate, and respiration depth.

Heart rate was determined measuring the mean beats/per
minute for each vignette and each rest period.

Respiration rate was obtained by counting the number
of peaks per period, dividing by the number of seconds in the
period, and multiplying by sixty seconds. The resulting number
was respiratory rate per minute.

Respiration depth was determined by recording the
amplitude of every upward deflection over one millimeter. The
sum of these recordings was divided by the total number of up-

ward deflections for a mean, defined as respiration depth.

A r
:f Physiolc
a: electri
an attempt
.'ne form-.11

ESC=(‘

 

35
A new method developed by Dr. Thomas Adams, Department
of Physiology, Michigan State University, was used to obtain
an electrical skin conductance score. Dr. Adams' method was
an attempt to quantify all possible aspects of the ESC data.
The formula and definition of terms are presented below.
b

ESC=(N’B)+a+—fi—+A+E

 

* N = Number of responses (at least 1 mm deflection).

B = Baseline (chosen level, other than zero, below all traces
in an experimental period; umhos).

= Sum.of response amplitudes (total of each response

a height over baseline; umhos).
b = Sum of response baselines (total of absolute umho

 

 

value at beginning of each response).

E = End of trace (absolute umho value of trace at end of
experimental period).

 

A = Beginning of trace (absolute umho value of trace at
beginning of experimental period).

 

. 2
:11 [PL-Mao (—---- E

1 l!-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B—é“ A I i
//
B‘v Vi ’jjj; iii, \L
o o"*i1‘ o o"“*
*

An experimental period in which there were no responses is
scored as "l".

shite male
Each subj'
ad white
aggressio
(ER), res
electric:
viewing ;
testing

Repeated

set at

36

Summary
The subjects for this study were ten black and ten

white male undergraduate students at Michigan State University.
Each subject viewed six color vignettes which portrayed black
and white actors and actresses expressing emotions labelled
aggression. Subjects' physiological responses of heart rate
(HR), respiration rate (RR), respiration depth (RD), and
electrical skin conductance (ESC) were recorded during the
viewing and rest periods. Twenty hypotheses presented for
testing are included in addition to the analyses procedures.
Repeated measures analyses of variance was selected with alpha

set at .05.

.—

sections
rate (RR)
electrics
pective 1
sub-sect
periods,
periods.
ETOUP me
ROI Con;
However

some in

(2) One
It was
tiOn r,
vighee:

an*3le

was ex

was nc

 

CHAPTER IV
ANALYSIS OF RESULTS

The findings from the study were divided into four major
sections according to the four autonomic measures: respiration
rate (RR), respiration depth (RD), heart rate (HR), and
electrical skin conductance (ESC). In each section the res-
pective hypotheses were restated and analyzed followed by
sub-sections with other pertinent data in regard to vignette
periods, rest periods, and vignettes in relation to rest
periods. Each of these sub-sections included data on the
group means. An in-depth analysis of the variance data was
not considered to be within the scope of the present study.
However, the variance data is presented in Appendix D with
some initial observations.

It should be noted that part of the data for subjects
(S) one and two were not usable because of equipment failure.
It was therefore decided to exclude_S_1 and S2 from.the respira-
tion rate and respiration depth analyses during both the
vignette and rest periods and S2 from all of the heart rate
analyses. Bothg1 and Sz'were from.the white group.

The psychological data recorded in the recall sessions
was excluded from Chapter IV because a large percentage of it

was not audible. It was decided to subjectively rate the

37

audible ('12
ing sub j e
then comp

section 1'

Eypothes

'1
u
'u

j

3- othes

'1:

ijothe

Hypothe

53301211:

38
audible data by how effective the vignettes were in stimulat-
ing subjects as reported by the subjects. The rated data was
then compared with the physiological data in the discussion

section in Chapter V.

Hypotheses for Respiration Rate

 

Hypothesis 1) There will be no significant difference between
blacks and whites on respiration rate.

Hypothesis 2) There will be no significant difference between
vignettes on respiration rate.

Hypothesis 3) There will be no significant difference between
rest periods on respiration rate.

Hypothesis 4) There will be no significant interaction between
race of subjects and vignettes on respiration
rate .

Hypothesis 5) There will be no significant interaction be-
tween race of subjects and rest periods on

respiration rate.

Results for Respiration Rate
Table 4.1 contains the results of the analyses of
variance for respiration rate. Hypotheses number three and
five were not rejected but hypotheses 1, 2, and 4 were rejected
at the .05 level of confidence. The black and white groups did
have significantly different respiration rates across treat-
ments (groups main effect), the vignettes did have significantly
different effects on subjects for RR (measures main effect),

and the two groups did have significantly different respiration

ale 4.] RE

Groups (A
Error

Repeated
AB
Error

39

Table 4.1 Repeated measures analysis of variance summary tab1e for
respiration rate during vignette and rest periods.

 

 

 

 

 

SOURCE df MS F
Vignette

Groups (A) 1 243.776 4.60 *

Error 17 52.902

Repeated Measures (B) 5 104.590 13.61 **

AB 5 35.050 4.56 **
Error 85 7.682

Rest

Groups (A) 1 102.685 2.58 *** n.s.
Error 18 39.754

Repeated Measures (B) 6 5.894 .65 ***#L5.
AB 6 4.488 .50 ***’11.5.
Error 108 8.982

 

* With 1, 17 df need F 7 4.45 to reject tchS)

** With 5, 85 df need F 7 2.33 to reject ($405)

*** With 1, 18 df need F 2 4.41 to reject (chS)
**** With 6, 108 df need F Z_2.]9 to reject 01-05)

 

razes aCIOE
id have S?
peasures '
differs
{groups b)
aralyzed 1
13%). T
groups ha
analysis,

”vignettes

40

rates across treatments (groups main effect), the vignettes

did have significantly different effects on subjects for RR
(measures main effect), and the two groups did have significant-
ly different respiration rates for particular vignettes

(groups by measures interaction). The interaction was further
analyzed using the Scheffe post hoc method (Glass and Stanley,
1970). The Scheffe method was employed because the two

groups had unequal number of subjects. Based on the post hoc
analysis, vignettes one and two were identified as the

vignettes where the two groups differed significantly.

Vignettes (RR)

 

The black and white groups had a higher respiration
rate during vignettes two (a white female) and six (a black
couple). The white group was lowest during vignette number
five (a white male) and the black group was lowest during
vignettes number four (a raciallydmixed couple: white female
and black male) and vignette number five (a white male). Over-
all, the black group appeared to have a higher respiration
rate across all vignettes, however, the data analysis did not
prove the group differences to be statistically significant.
The group patterns, however, were very similar over the last

three vignettes (see Figure 4.1).

Rest Periods (RR)

 

An examination of respiration rate during rest periods
indicated that the black group appeared to have higher rates

across all rest periods. They had their highest RR during the

 

u

Respiration Rates

25
23
21
19
17
15
13
ll

 

Respiration rates for subjects during
vignette periods

 

41

Figure 4.1

 

l

2 3 4
Vignette Periods

5

Black

----- White

 

._.. .c...-

momma CC was; WCcco

Respiration Rates
3

 

42

Figure 4. 2

Respiration rates for subjects during
rest periods

_~~-.. .— - -~~~ ~
N

B1ack
------ White

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Rest Periods

 

final res
gorse p91
adistin
andn
the exce

rposite

pattern
the bl.
laels
iiila
grOUps
crea St
Vigne
£0110
Was I

Eton;

Hypo

Hype

43
final rest period (R7) but did not show a distinct low res-
ponse period. On the other hand, the white group did not show
a distinct high rest period for RR, but also did have a clear
low point. Overall, the group patterns were very similar with
the exceptions of RS and R7 where the groups deviated in

opposite directions (see Figure 4.2).

Vignettes in Relation to Rest Periods (RR)

Respiration rate findings showed that the black group
appeared to breathe more rapidly throughout the whole experi-
ment. During the first third of the experiment, group
patterns were dissimilar. During the last two-thirds, however,
the black group levels decreased and approached the white group
levels, making the group patterns very similar. This group
similarity continued until the final rest period when the
groups deviated in opposite directions, the black group in-
creased and the white group decreased. It also was found that
vignettes one, two, four and five for the white group were
followed by what appeared to be a higher rest period, and this
was the case on vignettes, four, five and six for the black

group (see Figure 4.3).

Hypotheses for RespiratiOn Depth
Hypothesis 6) There will be no significant difference between
blacks and.whites on respiration depth.
Hypothesis 7) There will be no significant difference between

vignettes on respiration depth.

Respiration Rates

25
23
21
19
17
15
13
ll

 

44
Figure 4.3

Respiration rates for subjects during
total experimental period

 

B1ack
-~---White

 

R V R V

3 3 4 4 5 5
Total Experimental Period

R V R V R

6 6 7

 

DO. bk
“1530 Lu
J .

Eypotl

Shé
pn
de
351

th

45

Hypothesis 8) There will be no significant difference between
rest periods on respiration depth.

Hypothesis 9) There will be no significant interaction between
race of subjects and vignettes on respiration
depth.

Hypothesis 10) There will be no significant interaction be-
tween race of subjects and rest periods on

respiration depth.

Results for Respiration Depth

 

Hypotheses 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 were not rejected and

the analyses of variance results are presented in Table 4.2.

Vignettes (RD)

 

The black group was found to be lower (breathing more
shallow) than the white group across all vignettes. However,
the black group did not have any vignettes which were clearly
higher or lower than any other vignette while the white group
seemed to display shallower breathing (lowest RD) during V4
(see Figure 4.4).

Rest Periods (RD)

For RD, the black group was lower (breathing more
shallow) across all rest periods. Rest period number one
proved to be of interest since the black group showed its
deepest breathing during this period while the white group
showed its deepest breathing during the third rest period and

the black group did not have a rest period where the breathing

Table 4.2 Repeated measures analysis of variance summary table for
respiration depth during vignette and rest periods.

46

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOURCE df MS F
Vignette
Groups (A) 1 692.640 2.89 * n.s.
Error 17 238.947
Repeated Measures (B) 5 4.001 .28 ** n.s.
AB 5 2.783 .19 **rLs.
Error 85 14.022
Rest

Groups (A) 1 1909.207 3.21 ***‘n.s.
Error 18 594.168
Repeated Measures (8) 6 1.789 .22 ****'n.s.
AB 6 7.141 .89 ****rns.
Error 108 7.970

* With 1, 17 df need Z_4.45 to reject €4.05)

** With 5, 85 df need 7 2.33 to reject ($.05)
*** With 1, 18 df need 2:4.41 to reject ($.05)

***": With 6, 108 df need F _7_ 2.19 to reject («05)

Respiration Depths

25
23
21
l9
17
15
13
ll

 

 

47
Figure 4.4

Respiration depths for subjects

during vignette periods

Black
----- White

 

1 2 3 4 5 6
Vignette Periods

48
was clearly shallower than any other. Overall, the group
patterns were more similar during the last four rest periods

(see Figure 4.5).

Vignettes in Relation to Rest Periods (RD)

On the RD measures, the black group was found to be
breathing shallower than the white group during the whole
experiment. In addition, the group patterns were parallel
throughout the experiment with all vignettes preceded and
followed by a higher rest period. In other words, both groups
displayed shallower breathing during the vignettes than during

the rest periods (see Figure 4.6).

Hypotheses for Heart Rate

Hypothesis 11) There will be no significant difference between
blacks and whites on heart rate.

Hypothesis 12) There will be no significant difference between
vignettes on heart rate.

Hypothesis 13) There will be no significant difference between
rest periods on heart rate.

Hypothesis 14) There will be no significant interaction be-
tween race of subjects and vignettes on heart
rate.

Hypothesis 15) There will be no significant interaction between

race of subjects and rest periods on heart rate.

Results for Heart Rate

Hypotheses ll, 13, 14, and 15 were not rejected and

Respiration Depths

25
23
21
l9
17
15
13
ll

49
Figure 4.5

Respiration depths for subjects
during rest periods

 

Black

----- White

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Rest Periods

50
hypothesis 12 was rejected at the .05 level of confidence
(measures main effect). See Table 4.3 for a summary of the
analysis of variance. Thus subjects in general were found
to respond in a significantly different manner on HR to parti-
cular vignettes. A Tukey post hoc analysis was carried out
to identify which vignettes led to different HR responses
(Glass and Stanley, 1970). It was found that V1 and V4 were
the only vignettes differing significantly at the .05 level

of confidence.

Vignettesg(HR)

 

The white group had a higher HR (‘more beats per minute)
than the black group across all of the vignettes. The white
group clearly was highest during V(S) while the black group
was highest during V(1). It was found that both groups had
their lowest HR during V(4) (see Figure 4.7).

Rest Periods (HR)

 

It was found that the white group seemed to have a
higher heart rate across all rest periods. The highest heart
rate for the white group was during the sixth rest period,
while for the black group it was the first rest period. The
black group did not have a clear-cut low period for the HR
measure but the white group did have a low level during the
fifth period. The group patterns were found to be quite dis-
similar with the white group showing an apparently more labile

heart rate (see Figure 4.8).

51

Table 4.3 Repeated measures analysis of variance summary table for

heart rate during vignette and rest periods.

 

 

 

 

 

SOURCE df MS F
Vignette
Groups (A) 1 879.592 1.27 * n.s.
Error 17 692.626
Repeated Measures (8) 5 28.683 2.44 **
AB 5 20.366 1.73 ** n.s.
Error 85 11.715
Rest

Groups (A) 1 1752.950 2.23 * n.s.
Error 17 785.054
Repeated Measures (8) 6 9.077 1.64 ***rus.
AB 6 11.434 2.07
Error 102 5.509

 

* With 1, 17 df need
** With 5, 85 df need
*** with 6, 102 df need F Z_2.19 to reject

|\n|\1

4.45 to reject chOS)
2.3

3 to reject ($.05)

($505)

Respiration Depths

25
23
21
19
17
15
13
11

 

 

 

52

Figure 4.6

Respiration depths for subjects during

total experimental period

Black
----- White
'A
\
A
{A‘ ’ \\ ’\ .A
‘ \ f I ’
s I \ 1 I \ ’ ‘ I
\ , \ , \ I ‘ I ‘ I \ I
\ I ‘ I \ I I I \ I
\ , ‘V \ l \ , \ I V
V V \ I \I
\ i V
V

 

R1 V1 R2 v2 R3 V3 R4 V4 R5 V5 R6 V6 R7

Total Experimental Period

53
Vignettes in Relation to Rest Periods_(HR)

 

The white group seemed to have a higher HR through-
out the experiment and the patterns were quite different but
more so over the last third of the experiment. Except for
V(S), each of the vignettes for the white group was followed
by a higher rest period. This also was the case for the
black group with the exception of vignettes one and three
(see Figure 4.9).

Hypotheses for Electrical Skin
Conductance

 

Hypothesis 16) There will be no significant difference between
blacks and whites on electrical skin conductance.

Hypothesis 17) There will be no significant difference between
vignettes on electrical skin conductance.

Hypothesis 18) There will be no significant difference between
rest periods on electrical skin conductance.

Hypothesis 19) There will be no significant interaction between
race of subjects and vignettes on electrical
skin conductance.

Hypothesis 20) There will be no significant interaction between
race of subjects and rest periods on electrical

skin conductance.

Results for Electrical Skin Canductance
The data for electrical skin conductance (ESC) presented
a unique problem for the experimenter because of the variance

in length of vignettes. If one equated the ESC scores according

Heart Rates

78
76
74
72
70
68
66

 

.54

Figure 4. 7

Heart rates for subjects during
vignette periods

____Bl ack
------ White

 

1 2 3 4 5 6

Vignette Periods

Heart Rates

80
78
76
74
72
7O
68
66

55
Figure 4.8

Heart rates for subjects during

rest periods

 

 

3 4 5 6 7
Rest Periods

 

Heap

 

 

'1‘

0
8

8
7

J

6
7

000

mmumm uummm

6
6

 

 

Heart Rates

56
Figure 4.9

Heart rates for subjects during total
experimental period

80
78
76
74
72
70
68
66

 

 

 

R1"1R2"21‘3"3Rz."z.R5"5RevsR7

Total Experimental Period

57
to length of the vignette the results were very different than
if one did not control for length of vignette. The initial
reaction was that vignette length was critical and must be con-
trolled for or incorporated into the analysis. However, upon
closer inspection of the data from subjects having the same
ESC score across all vignettes, doubt was cast on the decision
to control for vignette length. The problem was that once
vignette length was controlled for, the subjects' scores no
longer were equal. The question then arose that perhaps by
treating the data in this manner non-existent differences be-
tween vignettes were being created. Consequently, it was
decided to present both sets of data, with control for vignette
length (E801) and without (ESCZ).

Analysis of ESC1 data led to non-rejection of hypo-
theses 16, l8, l9, and 20. However, hypothesis 17 was rejected
at the .05 level of confidence (measures main effect). Table
4.4 contains the results for the analysis of variance.
Rejection of hypothesis l7 meant that subjects, regardless of
race, re8ponded in a significantly different manner on the
ESC1 measure to particular vignettes. The Tukey post hoc
analysis was also applied to this main effect. The findings
showed V2 (white female) to differ significantly from V5 (white
and V6 (black couple).

Analysis of the ESC2 data failed to reject hypotheses
l6, l7, 18, 19, and 20. Summary of the analyses of variance

are also found in Table 4.4.

58

Table 4.4 Repeated measures analysis of variance summary table for
electrical skin conductance (ESC] and ESC2) during vig-
nette and rest periods.

 

SOURCE df MS F

 

Vignette (E501)

 

Groups (A) 1 26539.976 .49 *
Error 18 53180.970
Repeated Measures (8) 5 7955.399 3.57 **
AB 5 706.164 .31 **
Error 90 2226.503

 

Vignette (E562)

 

 

 

Groups (A) 1 4965.246 .52 *
Error 18 9418.817
Repeated Measures (8) 5 367.101 1.35 **
AB 5 118.393 .43 **
Error 90 270.961

Rest
Groups (A) 1 5921.501 .42 *
Error 18 13895.651
Repeated Measures (8) 6 324.005 .96 ***
AB 6 393.277 1.17
Error 108 335.271

 

* With 1, l8 df need F 7 4.41 to reject (1.05)
** With 5, 90 df need F 2:2.32 to reject (d.05)
*** With 6, 108 df need F Z_2.19 to reject (ecOS)

 

 

g.
.’:gnet t
H

vignett

Intere:

ESC du‘

1'; hm ‘-
'5" ole 1'

acres 5
I-Iowev.
group
figme
group

was 1

S9
Vignettes (ESCl)
The white group displayed a higher ESC across all
vignettes although the group patterns were almost parallel.
Interestingly, both groups were found to have their highest

ESC during V(Z) and lowest ESC during V(S) (see Figure 4.10).

Vignettes (ESCZ)

As with ESC1 the white group was more responsive
across all vignettes and the group patterns were very similar.
However, in this second analysis of the ESC data, the two
groups were now found to be most responsive on the third
vignette. In addition, in this second analysis the white
group did not have a clear low vignette and the black group

was least responsive during V1 (see Figure 4.11).

Rest Periods (ESC and ESC

1 2)
The results for the ESC measure again found the white

 

group appearing higher (more responsive) across all rest
periods. Rest period number one proved to be the low point
for both groups, while periods three and seven were the high
points for the white and black groups, respectively. The
groups were similar during the first half of the experiment,
then deviated from each during the second half, only to end up
at about the same level on the last rest period (see Figure

4.12).

Vignettes in Relation to Rest Periods (ESC1 and ESC9)

 

Looking at the ESC measure, the white group was found

to be higher throughout the experiment for both ESCl and ESC2

Electrical Skin Conductance (E501)

115
113
111
109
107
105
103
101
99
97
95
93
91
89
87
85
83
81
79
77
75
73
71
69
67
65
63
61
59
57
55
53
51
49
47
45
43
41
39
37
35
33
31
29
27
25

 

60

Figure 4. 10

Electrical skin conductance (E501) for subjects
during vignette periods

Black

I \ ------ White

 

 

1 2 3 4 5 6

Vignette Periods

Electrical Skin Conductance (E502)

61

Figure 4. 11

Electrical skin conductance (E502) for subjects

51
49
47
45
43
41
39
37
35
33
31
29
27
25
23
21
19
17
15

 

during vignette periods

 

.A
I 1
I 1
I \
I
I \\
l
I x
I \
I 1
l
I \
I, \
\
I \ .I
\ .r’
1..-___/’
Black
------ White
2 3 4 5 6

Vignette Periods

Electrical Skin Conductance (ESC] & £502)

62
Figure 4. 12

Electrical Skin Conductance (ESC] & ESCZ) for subjects
during rest periods

51
49
47
45
43
41

39
37
35
33
31

29
27
25
23
21

19
17
15

 

 

 

3 4 5
Rest Periods

B1ack

------ White

 

 

 

kontrol ic
patterns it
ooeriment
vignettes
period. 1
hllowed

l
d35hfile
similar .
period a

Figure 4

63
(control for vignette length and no control). The group
patterns for ESCl were parallel almost throughout the whole
experiment. Also, with the exception of V5, all of the
vignettes for the black group were followed by a higher rest
period. For the white group, all of the vignettes were
followed by a higher rest period (see Figure 4.13).

Turning to ESCZ, the group patterns were found to be
dissimilar over the first two-thirds of the experiment and
similar over the last third. Both groups had a higher rest
period after each vignette with the exception of V3 (see
Figure 4.14).

64
Figure 4. 13

Electrical skin conductance (ESC1) for subjects
during total experimental period

 

.K e \\
C t \\\
a .1. \\
- I
. [I]
u I:
_ V
_ .\
_\
\
A.
I.
.I
l
I,
‘I‘I‘Iuy
II
“‘|‘|‘I‘I
‘II‘I‘I‘III‘
III”,
II,
II,
I,
l,
I
’1',
I1 II I“'
“\‘\‘
i1
‘5‘“
11“”.
I,
l',
'
ii,
l:.lh'
|‘
"|||‘IIIII'
| II‘III'
I1“||l
“"I""
'I““
I‘l‘5“
\‘IH'
“‘ “
‘I|“||‘
-‘II
liiii’
’ 5" I
’l’
""
i iii '7'
71Cu1u1|
nununvnvOJ7IR41u1uOJ71Ru1u1-QJ7.Rufiu1u0471:414 E41u11047:R41u1uOJ7IEJQJ1IOJ7.Ku1u1uqa7lb
111-1.1.0.OSOJOJOJRUnununuQu71777.7.7lb,bropb R.fivfiud.414.4n91u2u1.1v159a9a9a9h9.1.1£|

A

F.
U
U"
LIJ

v
d)
U
C
(6
+3
U
3
'U
C
O
U

 

R7

V6

V1 R2 V2 R3 V3 R4 V4 R5 V5
Total Experimental Period

R1

Electrical Skin Conductance (E502)

51

49
47
45
43
41

39
37
35
33
31
29
27
25
23
21
19
17
15

 

65

Figure 4.14

Electrical skin conductance (ESCZ) for subjects during
total experimental period

Black
fi ------ White
I "~‘
I \
1 \
\
I] ‘
, \
A ’ ‘
I \ I ‘
I \ I 1
I \ I, 1
\ \
I, V ‘ I’\
I 1‘ /A\ / \
\ /
I, 1 I \ I v
‘\\. l \ I /
V’ \

 

R] V] R2 V2 R3 V3 R4 V4 R5 V5 R6 V6 R7

Total Experimental Period

66

Table 4.5. Sunmary of statistically significant findings.

 

 

u :3: M m

V I G N E T T E S

 

 

 

 

 

. Re eated Measures Post hoc
Dependent Variables p Analyses Analyses
Resgi ration Rate (RR)
Groups (A) .05
Repeated Measures (B) .05
AB Interaction .05 V(l) significantly dif-

ferent from V(2) (.05)
Respiration Depth (RD)

Groups (A) N.S.
Repeated Measures (B) N.S.
AB Interaction N.S.

Heart Rate (HR)

Groups (A) N.S.
Repeated Measures (B) .05 V(1) significantly dif-
AB Interaction N.S. ferent from V(4) (.05)

Electri calf Skin Conduc-
tance (E501)

 

Groups (A) N.S.
Repeated Measures (B) .05 V(2) significantly dif-
AB Interaction N.S. ferent from V(5) & V(6)

(.05)
Electrical Skin Conduc-
tance (ESQ)

 

Groups (A)
Repeated Measures (B)
AB Interaction

222
COMM
O O O

 

*None of the Rest Period analyses were statistically significant.

CHAPTER V

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

Summary
The purposes of this study were manifold. First, very

little is known about the psychophysiological reactions of
people from.one race to people of another race. Whereas
racial research has increased rapidly in recent years, this
has not been the case in the psychophysiological area. In
addition, the existent studies have often provided inconclu-
sive results and used a limited number of physiological
measures. The use of interracial comparisons across psycho-
physiological measures could contribute to more definitive
answers about racial attitudes, psychophysiological response
patterns, and the interpersonal processes in blackdwhite
interactions. Understanding the interpersonal processes be-
tween blacks and whites has been of particular interest to
counselors and psychologists concerned with racially mixed
therapeutic sessions. The question most often addressed is:
are intraracial therapy sessions more effective than inter-
racial sessions? Perhaps some light can eventually be shed on
this question by studying blackdwhite interactions using a

psychophysiological‘methodology.

67

68

A second purpose of this study was to expand and
evaluate the use of the Interpersonal Process Recall Model
(Kagan, 1975) in the psychophysiological area. The IPR
model provides subjects with a unique opportunity to study
the thoughts, feelings, and images they had while viewing
films. Subjects can engage in the self-study during a recall
session and the subjects' verbal responses can be compared to
their physiological responses which were recorded during the
film.session. To this point the psychophysiological results
obtained through the IPR.mode1 have been inconclusive. Hope-
fully the present study will clarify the use of the IPR model
in psychophysiological studies.

The final purpose of the current study was concerned
with the psychophysiological responses of blacks and whites to
stress. The present study exposed subjects to a.number of
interpersonal stress situations using a motion picture film,

a technique which Lazarus and his associates (1964, 1963, 1965)
have used extensively. Whereas other studies have measured
the stress reactions of subjects while in the role of an
observer, the present study measured the psychophysiological
responses of subjects while actors in the fiLm engaged them.in
direct interpersonal confrontations.

This methodology allowed one to look at one of the
major questions in stress research, which is, why do subjects
react differently to different stressors? (Lacey, 1958;
Lazarus, et al., 1964; Lazarus and Affert, 1964). By having

subjects undergo various types of direct interpersonal

69
confrontations followed by a recall session, one may be able
to determine why they react differently to different stress
confrontations.

Twenty subjects were chosen from among male, under-
graduate students at Michigan State University. There were
ten black males and ten white males with a mean age of 20.8.

A balanced repeated measures design was used and each subject
(S) was exposed to six experimental periods. Each experimental
period consisted of a vignette (V) and was followed by a rest
period (R). The emotion portrayed in the six vignettes was
labeled aggression and portrayed by black and white, male and
female actors. The typescripts and descriptions of the
vignettes appear in Appendix B. Heart rate, respiration rate,
respiration depth, and electrical skin conductance were
measured during both the vignette and rest periods for each
subject. A recall session followed the viewing of the vig-
nettes. Each subject was instructed to recall his underlying
thoughts, feelings, images, and general pattern of interaction
during the experimental periods. This recall was conducted
while the subject listened to the audio portion of the vig-
nettes. Twenty null hypotheses were tested for each of the
six vignette periods and seven rest periods, using repeated
‘measures analyses of variance with alpha level set at .05.

Results for the respiration rate measure led to rejec-
tion of hypotheses 1,2, and 4 at the .05 level of confidence
while hypotheses 3 and 5 were not rejected. Rejection of

hypotheses l, 2, and 4 indicated that black and.white groups

70

did have significantly different respiration rates across
treatments (group main effect), the vignettes did have sig-
nificantly different effects on subjects (measures main
effect), and the two groups did have significantly different
respiration rates for particular vignettes (groups by measures
interaction). The interaction was further analyzed using the
Scheffe post hoc method and vignettes l and 2 were identified
as the vignettes where the two groups differed significantly,
the black group having a higher respiration rate on both
vignettes.

None of the hypotheses for the respiration depth
measure were rejected.

Hypotheses ll, 13, 14 and 15 for the heart rate measure
were not rejected. However, hypothesis 12 was rejected at
the .05 level of confidence (measures main effect). Thus sub-
jects, regardless of race, responded in a significantly
different manner on the heart rate measure to particular vig-
nettes. Based.on a Tukey post hoc analysis, it was found
that subjects differed on vignettes 1 and 4 with a higher
heart rate on V1.

The data for the electrical skin conductance measure
‘was treated in two different ways and analyzed separately. The
ESC1 treatment controlled for the differences in length of
vignettes and ESC2 did not control for the differences. Analy-
sis of the ESC1 data led to the rejection of hypothesis 17 at

the .05 level of confidence (measures main effect) but not

71
for hypotheses 16, 18, 19, and 20. Rejection of hypothesis 17
indicated that subjects, regardless of race, responded in a
significantly different manner on the ESC1 measure to particu—
lar vignettes. A Tukey post hoc analysis was also applied to
this main effect and vignette 2 was found to be significantly
higher than vignettes 5 and 6. Analysis of the ESC2 data
failed to reject any of the hypotheses (16, l7, l8, l9, and 20)
indicating that when the differences in vignette length was
not controlled there were no significant differences.

All of the data for the rest periods across all four
dependent measures was found to be statistically non-significant.
Also, a large percentage of the psychological data collected
during the recall sessions was not audible and thus excluded

from.the results chapter.

Conclusions

 

The statistically significant findings in three of the
four dependent measures (respiration rate, heart rate, and
electrical skin conductance) provided support for the use of
the Interpersonal Process Recall Model in the psychophysio-
logical area. The psychological data that was audible also
showed the potential of the IPR.model in identifying why sub-
jects displayed different physiological patterns to different
stressors. Subjects were able, in the audible cases, to re-
call that they felt differently about some vignettes than
others and subsequently responded with different physiological

patterns. However, the loss of much of the psychological data

72
interfered with the attempts to understand the interpersonal
interactions between subjects and actors of different races.

The results of the study also pointed out the potential
use of the IPR model in conjunction with psychophysiological
techniques in the area of training. Providing trainees with
their own physiological responses along with their psychologi-
cal responses offers them additional data with which to
better understand their underlying feelings of thoughts. This
is particularly helpful in the health professions.

Finally the study did not offer many opportunities for
comparisons of the psychophysiological response patterns of
blacks with those of whites under stress conditions because
only on the respiration rate measure did the two groups (black-
white) differ from.aach other. However, one must conclude
that there do seem to be differences between the groups and

further comparative research is needed.

Discussion
A discussion of the findings with possible interpre-

tations are presented. The findings and their possible mean-
ings for each of the four dependent variables (respiration
rate, respiration depth, heart rate, electrical skin conduct-
ance) are first discussed as they relate to previous findings.
Secondly, the findings are discussed as they relate to the
psychological data collected during the recall sessions. This

is an initial attempt to compare subjects' physiological res-

ponses with their reported psychological reactions. Finally,

 

 

73
selected excerpts from.the recall sessions are found in

Appendix C.

Respiration Rate (RR)

For RR the value of F (4.56) with 5 and 85 degrees of
freedom.for the groups by measures interaction was found to be
significant at the .05 level. This meant that whites and
blacks responded differently on RR to the vignettes. As
stated earlier (Chapter II), few studies have compared.whites
and blacks on this measure and those that have did not find
statistically significant results. On the surface these
results would seem to contradict the findings of Johnson and
Corah (1963) and Johnson and Landon (1965). However, one must
remember that the findings from.their studies were obtained dur-
ing periods of rest. Apparently blacks and whites do not
differ on RR during periods of rest but when stimuli are pro-
vided the groups' breathing is affected differently. This
point is further substantiated by the analyses of the rest
periods for this study where the groups were not found to
differ significantly g;l§ the Johnson, g£_gl studies.

A Scheffe post hoc analysis was carried out to identify
the specific vignettes on which the two groups differed
significantly. Vignettes one (black, late-twenties, male)
and two (white, mid-twenties, female) were so identified with
the black group having a higher RR in both cases. 'What
actually occurred was that the two groups were breathing at

approximately the same rate during the rest periods directly

74
preceding V1 and V2 but when the vignettes started the black
group displayed a sharp increase in RR and the white group a

sharp decrease in RR.

Respiration Dgpth (RD)

There were no significant differences found for
respiration depth data, however, when viewed along side the RR
data, they offer some assistance in the interpretation of the
significant differences found for RR on V1 and V2.

The black group was found to breathe shallower (lower
RD) and faster (higher RR) throughout the entire experiment.
The occurrence of fast, shallow breathing has often been con-
sidered as a possible indication of increased anxiety. If we
can assume this to be a possible explanation, then the black
group can be viewed as being more anxious during the experiment
and particularly during V1 and V2. One possible interpretation
is that blacks are less accustomed to being in an experimental
setting than the whites. Consequently, the blacks were more
anxious than the whites throughout the entire experiment and
significantly more so doing the first two vignettes. As time
elapsed, the blacks became more acclimated to the environment,
with their arousal levels approaching the arousal levels of
the whites. Subsequently, they did not respond in a signifi-
cantly different manner than the whites after the second vig-
nette. This being the case, it was not so much the content of
the vignettes which caused the significant differences, but

the environment as a.whole. Also, one cannot de-emphasize

75
the effects of the experimenter. It may be that initially
blacks were more suspicious of the experimenter than the
whites and thus displayed higher RR at the outset of the ex-
periment.

A second possible explanation for the significantly
different responses to V1 and V2 relates to the positive
relationship between stimulus novelty and GSR reactivity found
by Fisher and Kotses (1973), Grings, Carlin and Appley (1962),
and Grings (1960). If stimulus novelty was a factor and its
effects can be generalized to Rmeeasures then one must look
at the contents of vignettes one and two. It would then
appear that verbal attacks by a black male, and a white female
are where blacks and whites differ the most in degree of
novelty. It should be emphasized that these two vignettes
‘were not the most novel (highest RR) for either group but
brought out the greatest difference between the groups in degree
of novelty. Therefore, it would seem.that blacks are less
accustomed to being attacked verbally by a black male and a
white female. In the former it may be because it is a peer
from.whom they do not ordinarily receive unprovoked attacks.
Added weight is given to this interpretation by the much lower
RR (less novel) displayed by blacks to the white male

"attacker. In the case of the white female attacker, it may
be the blacks have significantly less contact with white females
and are therefore not exposed to verbal attack from.a white
female. The result being a much more novel situation for the

black group over the white group. Finally, it may well be

76

that blacks and whites just react differently to rejection

and/or stress.

Heart Rate (HR)

The heart rate data did not prove to be significantly
different between groups. However, the overall patterns are
worth looking at. Throughout the entire experiment the white
group had a higher HR which has been said to indicate greater
anxiety (Martin, 1961; Lazarus, Speisman, and Mordkoff, 1963;
and others). This would seem to contradict the RR and RD
data which, viewed in conjunction appeared to indicate the
black group to be more anxious throughout the experiment. The
easiest way out of this apparent contradiction is to discard
the HR data as not being statistically significant even though
the group patterns move in a contradictory direction. How-
ever, the notion of directional fractionation offered by
Lacey (1963) and replicated by Simpson (1969) Provides another
possible explanation. Lacey has shown that attentive observa-
tion of the external environment leads to a decrease in HR
and a simultaneous increase in skin conductance. If in fact
decreased HR is one of the indicators of attentiveness, one
can offer the possible interpretation of blacks being more
attentive and more anxious as the RR and RD data seem to indi-
cate. This interpretation becomes even more plausible when
one takes note of the fact that in almost every case both

groups had a lower HR during the vignette periods than during

the rest periods.

 

77

The HR data did show a statistically significant
measures main effect (.05 level), meaning that certain vig-
nettes affected subjects (regardless of race) in a significantly
different manner. The Tukey post hoc analysis led to
identification of V1 and V4 as the vignettes causing a sig-
nificantly different effect on subjects. Subjects displayed
a higher HR for V1 than V4 and if Lacey's directional fraction-
ation (also referred to as stimulus response stereotype) view
is applied it appears subjects were more attentive to V4 than
V1. As stated earlier, V1 was the black male while V4 was the
mixed couple (white, female--black male). This can possibly
be interpreted in terms of the aforementioned stimulus novelty
theory if generalized to HR measures. It would seem.safe to
say that a mixed couple would be more novel to subjects than a
black male. Another possibility is that in V4 the actors were
silent until the very end and subjects may have found it diffi-
cult to decipher what was actually happening, necessitating

closer scrutinization.

Electrical Skin Conductance (ESC)

Two separate analyses were carried out for the ESC
‘measure. As stated in Chapter IV, one analysis controlled
for vignette length (ESCl) and the other analysis (ESCZ) did
not. An interesting finding from the ESC1 data was that in
every case for the white group and all but one case for the
black group there was an increase in reactivity during the
vignette periods. Viewing this finding in light of the heart

rate data where both groups almost invariably had a decreased

78 ‘
HR during the vignette periods there is good support for
Lacey's directional fractionation. In other words, it appears
that both groups were more attentive during the vignette
periods as defined by decreased HR and increased ESC. In
contrast, the ESC2 data showed the groups to actually
decrease in reactivity during the vignette periods. This in-
consistency in the results strongly points out the importance
of the data quantification methods employed. In reviewing the
psychophysiolOgical literature, it became very obvious that
researchers use many different methods to quantify data and/or
they were not specific as to the methods used. Clearly this
has been a factor in the great inconsistency found between
psychophysiological studies.

There was a statistically significant measures main
effect for the ESC1 data. Following a Tukey post hoc analysis
it was determined that V2 differed significantly from.V5 and V6
with subjects being much more reactive to V2 than either V5 or
V6. The first possible interpretation is the one offered
earlier on stimulus novelty. It may be that a verbal attack
from.a white female may be more novel to people than verbal
attacks from a white male (V5) or laughing from.a black couple
(V6). However, what seems like a more plausible interpreta-
tion is that subjects had already been exposed to verbal
attack from a male (V1) and laughter from a couple. This
second interpretation incorporates aspects of the stimulus

novelty hypothesis, in that Vz'was the only vignette with a

single female attacker plus the added phenomena of habituation

 

 

79
or adaptation. The probability of these phenomena existing
increases if one notes that V2 was in the early part of the
experiment while V5 and V6 were in the late stages of the ex-
periment. In addition, subjects were clearly less reactive

on the ESC1 measure over the last third of the experiment.

Discussion of Physiological Responses in

 

Relation to Psychological Reactions

 

The comparisons between physical and psychological res-
ponses are limited to those data found to be statistically
significant and more specifically, to those vignettes found to
differ significantly from.each other based on the post hoc
analyses. The psychological and physiological findings for
each vignette are presented prior to their discussion. In
addition, selected excerpts from.the recall sessions are pre-

sented in Appendix C.

Vignette No. One (Respiration Rate)

 

Physiological findings: Blacks significantly higher
than whites (.05).

 

 

 

Psychological findings: Percentage Affected*
Z 2
Yes No .
Black 50 , 50
Subjects:
White 50 50

 

 

 

 

The two sets of data appear to be in accord on this

vignette. Physiologically, blacks were found to have a higher

 

*Refers to the percentage of subjects who indicated they had been
affected, or stimulated in some manner by the vignette. This
was subjectively determined by the experimenter.

80
respiration rate than whites and more blacks indicated that
they were affected by vignette number one. However, it seems
that a greater number of blacks would have indicated they were
threatened or affected than actually did. It may be that
some blacks were not willing to admit feeling threatened by

the attack of another black male.

Vignette No. Two (RespiratiOn Rate)

 

Physiological findings: Blacks significantly higher
than whites (.05).

 

 

 

Psychological findings: Percentage AffeCted
7. l 7.
Yes“ ' No
Black .30 . . 70
Subjects: A~A
White .37.. ... 63

 

 

 

 

The physiological and psychological data for V2 are
very much in disagreement. Physiologically blacks had a
higher respiration rate than whites yet only three black sub-
jects reported having been affected by the vignette. It may
well be that some of the black subjects were denying having
been affected by the vignette. Looking at the content of the
vignette, it would seem that some of the subjects did not want
to admit to having been affected by l) a female, 2) a white.

person, or 3) a white female.

81

Vignette Nos. One & Four (Heart Rate)

Physiological findings: Subjects, regardless of race,

were significantly higher on
V1 than on V4 (.05).

 

 

 

Psychological findings: Percenta e AffeCted
if z 1 7. "
Yes ‘No
V1 50 . ... 50
Subjects:
V4 56 .11, _.44
l

 

 

 

 

The physiological and psychological data for heart rate

do not appear to be in agreement. Based on the physiological

findings, one would have expected more subjects reporting

having been affected by V1 than reporting having been affected

by V
1)

2)

4. There are at least two possible explanations:

As indicated previously, some of the black sub-
jects may have been hesitant to report having
been affected or threatened by the black male
in V1. This would lead to fewer subjects
reporting having been affected by V1 than V4.

A second and perhaps more plausible explanation
would be the phenomenon of adaptation. It may
'well be that by the time subjects viewed V4,
they had become adapted to the experimental
situation and the vignettes. Consequently,
they were not as reactive physiologically but

‘were still affected by VA as they indicated.

82
Vignette Nog, Two, Five & Six (ElectriCal Skin CanduCtance)
Physiological findings: Subjects, regardless of race,

were significantly higher on
V2 than on V5 or V6 (.05).

 

 

 

 

Psychological findings: Percentage Affected
Z Z
Yes ’ N‘
V2 .33 . , 67
Subjects: V5 72 . 28
V6 . l7. . . 1. 83

 

 

 

 

The findings for V2 and V6 were very much in agreement.
Physiologically, the subjects were less responsive on V6 than
V2 and a fewer number of subjects reported having been
affected by V6 than V2.

The findings for V2 and V5 were not in agreement. Where-
as subjects were more responsive (physiologically) on V2, a
greater number of subjects indicated they were affected by V5.
It may well be that male subjects were more willing to admit
they were threatened or affected by a male aggressor (V5) than
by a female aggressor (V2). There is also the possibility
that adaptation also occurred in this case. Thus, subjects
'were affected physiologically on V5 but because of adaptation,
the magnitude of the physiological responses was reduced.

A more in-depth analysis of the psychological data in
relation to the physiological data was also carried out. The
findings are summarized in Table 5.1. An analysis of variance

‘was used to compare the subjects who indicated they were

83
affected by the vignettes with the subjects who indicated they
were not affected by the vignettes. These comparisons were
made for each vignette across the four dependent variables.

As indicated in Table 5.1, one can see only three
statistically significant findings. The first was in V3 on
the heart rate measure where the non-affected group displayed
a higher rate. One possible reason is that the affected
group was paying more attention and thus had a lower HR as
explained by Lacey's theory.

The second significant finding was in V5 also on the
heart rate measure. However, in this case the affected group
displayed the higher rate. This finding is difficult to ex-
plain but it does point out the apparent inconsistencies be-
tween the psychological and physiological data. It is felt
that much of this inconsistency is due to the subjective rating
of the recall data.

The final significant finding was in V6 on the
electrical skin conductance measure where the non-affected
group displayed a higher ESC. Again this finding is difficult
to explain since one would expect the affected group to have a
higher ESC. It is hoped that inconsistencies such as this can
be explained through further research especially by studies
utilizing larger samples and improved rating of the recall

data.

84

Table 5.1. Summary of Analysis Comparing Subjects Affected
and Not Affected by Vignettes

 

 

 

Vignette RR RD HR ESC
l - - - +
2 - - _ -
3 - -* +
4 + -
5 - + +* +
6 - - + -*

 

+ a Affected not affected
- = Not affected affected
* = Significant at .05

85

Implications for Future Research

The Interpersonal Process Recall Model offers a new

and exciting methodology to the area of psychophysiological

research.

The following points are presented as possible

refinements in the methodology to increase its success in

future research studies.

1.

Develop a method for standardizing all or part of
the recall sessions. This would simplify comp
parisons between subjects or groups and assistin
the identification of any trends in the recall

data.

. Identify a set of psychological reactions of

interest to the particular research which can be
rated by a group of trained, independent raters.
This would eliminate the subjectivity of the ex-
perimenter trying to correlate recall data with

the physiological findings.

. Devise a better method for taping the recall

sessions. In the current research, much of the

recall data was inaudible and weakened the study.

. There should be some effort made to control for

the order effect of vignettes. It may be that
different results would occur if certain vignettes

were presented before others.

. It might be useful to standardize the length of

vignettes as much as possible. This would eliminate

the problems found with the electrical skin

86
conductance data outlined in Chapter IV. If it
is not possible to standardize the length of
vignettes, perhaps analyses of the ESC data should
be limited to an equal section of each vignette.
A section or sections determined prior to the
experiment.
. Studies comparing various groups should have
vignettes which allow for group comparisons on
the crucial variables. For example, the present
study did not have a vignette with a black
female. This prevented comparison of the re-
actions of subjects to the white-female vignette

with their reactions to a black-female vignette.

. Future studies should also examine the reactions

to a greater variety of emotions.

. Although it may prove very difficult, it would be
interesting to examine the reactions of subjects
to real actors instead of films. ‘Many subjects
indicated they had trouble "getting into" the
vignettes and perhaps real actors would make it
easier for subjects to get involved in the experi-
ment .

. The current IPR.model makes use of a split-screen
during the recall session where subjects see themr
selves and their physiological recordings. Very
few, if any, of the subjects knew what the record-

ings meant. It may be more useful for subject

10.

87
recall if the physiological recordings were
replaced by the actual vignettes.
There is a clear need for larger samples. It
was found that a few subjects at one extreme
of the reactivity scale could bring about
major group changes in the direction of re-

activity.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Archer,

Averill,

Averill,

Averill,

Ax, A.F.

Ax, A.F.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

J., Jr., Fiester, T., Kagan, N., Rate, L., Spierling, T.,
and Van Noord, R. New method for education, treatment,
and research in human interaction. Journal of
Counseling Psychology, 1972, 19 (4), 275-281

 

J.R., and Opton, E.M., Jr. Psychophysiological assess-
ment: Rationale and problems. In McReynolds, P. (Ed.),
Advances in Psychological Assessment. Palo Alto,

california: SCience and BeHaVIOr Becks, Inc., 1968,
265-288.

J.R., Opton, E.M., Jr., and Lazarus, R.S. Cross-
cultural studies of psychophysiological responses during
stress and emotion. International Journal of
Psychology, 1969, 4 (2), 83-102.

 

 

J.R., Olbrich, E., and Lazarus, R.S. Personality
Correlates of differential responsiveness to direct
and vicarious threat: A failure to replicate previous

findings. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,
1972, 21 (1), 25-29.

 

The physiological differentiation between fear and
anger in humans. Psychosomatic Medicine, 1953, 25 (5),
437-442.

 

Goals and methods of psychophysiology. Psychophysiology,
1964, l (1), 8-25.

 

Bernstein, A.S. Race and examiner as significant influences

Bryant,

Campos,

on basal skin conductance. Journal of Personaligy
and Social Psychology, 1965, l (4), 346-349.

 

E.C., Gardner, 1., Jr., and Goldman, M. Responses on
racial attitudes as affected by interviewers of

different ethnic groups. Journal of Social Psychology,
1966, 70, 95-100.

 

J.J., and Johnson, H.J. Affect, verbalization, and
directional fractionation of autonomic responses.
Psychophysiology, 1967, 3 (3), 285-290.

 

88

89

Cooper, J.B., and Pollock, D. The identification of prejudicial
attitudes by the galvanic skin response. The Journal
of Social Psychology, 1959, 50, 241-245.

 

 

Cooper, J.B., and Siegel, H.E. The galvanic skin response as
a measure of emotion in prejudice. The Journal of
Psychology, 1956, 42, 149-155.

 

 

Craig, K.D. Physiological arousal as a function of imagined,
vicarious, and direct stress experience. Journal of
Abnormal Psychology, 1968, 73 (6), 513-520.

 

 

Dreger, R.M., and Miller, K.S. Comparative psychological
studies of negroes and whites in the United States:

1959-1965. Ps cholo ical Bulletin, Monograph Supple-
ment, 1968, 70 (3), Part 2, I—58.

Duffy, E. The psychological significance of the concept of
"arousal" or "activation." The Psychological Review,
1957, 64 (5), 265-275.

Dykman, R.A., Ackerman, P.T., Galbrecht, C.R. and Reese, W.G.
Physiological reactivity to different stressors and
‘methods of evaluation. Psychosomatic Medicine, 1963,

25 (1), 37-59.

 

 

Edwards, D.C. Psychophysiological patterning to psychological
processes. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1968, 26,
405-406.

Engel, B.T., and Chism, R.A. Effect of increases and
decreases in breathing rate on heart rate and finger
pulse volume. Psychophysiologyyl967, 4 (1), 83-89.

 

Fisher, L.E., and Kotses, H. Race differences and experi-
menter race effect in galvanic skin response.
Psychophysiology, 1973, 10 (6), 578-582.

Gentry, W.D. Biracial aggression: I. Effect of verbal attack
and sex of victim. The Journal of Social Psychology,
1972, 88, 75-82.

Gerard, H.B. Physiological measurement in social psychological
research. In Leiderman, P.H., and Shapiro, D. (Eds.),
Psychobiological Approaches to Social Behavior.
StanfOrd, Califbrnia: Stanfordeniversi y Press,

1964, 43-58.

Gormly, J.B. Interpersonal stress and the coping styles.
Dissertation Abstracts Internationalyl970, 31 (2-B),
928.

90

Hahn, W;W. Attention and heart rate: A critical appraisal of
the hypothesis of Lacey and Lacey. Psychological
Bulletin, 1973, 79 (1), 59-70.

 

Johnson, J.T., Jr. A study of counselors‘ galvanic skin res-
ponses to video taped stimuli of racial/sex pairings
and three verbal affect situations. Diesertation
Abstractsy 1973, 33 (7-A), 3293.

 

 

Johnson, L.C. and Landon, M.M. Eccrine sweat gland activity
and racial differences in resting skin conductance.
Psychophysiology, 1965, l (4), 322-329.

 

Juniper, K., Jr., and Dykman, RsA. Skin resistance, sweat-
gland counts, salivary flow, and gastric secretion:
Age, race, and sex differences, and intercorrelations.
Psychophysiology, 1967, 4 (2), 216-222.

Kagan, N. To see ourselves as others see us, but more deeply.
New York University Education Quarterly, 1975, Winter,
13-18.

Kagan, N., Krathwohl, D.R., and Miller, R. Stimulated recall
in therapy using videotape--a case study. Journal of
Counseling Paychology, 1963, 10, 237-243.

 

 

Kugelmass, S., and Lieblich, 1. Relation between ethnic
origin and GSR reactivity in psychophysiological
detection. Journal of Applied Psychology, 1968, 52
(2), 158-162.

 

Lacey, J.J. Somatic response patterning and stress: Some
revisions of activation theory. In Appley, M.H., and
Trumbull, R. (Eds.), Psychological Stress. New York:
Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1967, I4-42.

Lacey, J.J., Ka an, J., Lacey, B.C., and Moss, H.A. The
viscera level: Situational determinants and behavioral
correlates of autonomic response patterns. In Knapp,
P.H. (Ed.), Expression of the Emotions in Man. New
York: International University Press, Inc., 1963,

161-196.

 

 

Lacey, J.J. and Lacey, B.C. Verification and extension of
the principle of autonomic response-stereotypy.
American Journal of Psychology, 1958, 71, 50-75.

 

Lazarus, R.S. A laboratory approach to the dynamics of psycho-
iigical stress. American Psychologist, 1964, 19, 400-
l.

 

91

Lazarus, R.S., Opton, E.M., Jr., Nomikos, M.S., and Rankin, N.O.
The principle of short-circuiting of threat: Further
evidence. Journal of'PersOnality, 1965, 33, 622-635.

 

Lazarus, R.S., Opton, E., Jr., Tomita, M., and Kodama, M.
A cross-cultural study of stress-reduction patterns in
Japan. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,
1966, 4 (6), 622-633.

Lazarus, R.S., Speisman, J.C., Mordkoff, A;M., and Davison,
L.A. A laboratory study of psychological stress pro-

duced by a motion picture film. Ps'cholo ical

Monographs, 1962, 76 (34), (Whole Néfifier 553).
Lazarus, R.S., Speisman, J.C., and Mordkoff, A.M. The

relationship between autonomic indicators of psycho-

logical stress: Heart rate and skin conductance.
Psychosomatic Medicine, 1963, 25, l9-30.

Learmonth, G.J., Ackerly, W; and Kaplan, M. Relationships be-
tween palmar skin potential during stress and personal-
ity variables. Psychosomatic Medicine, 1959, 21 (2),
150-157.

Lieblich, I., Kugelmass, 5., and Ben-Shakhar, G. Psycho-
physiological baselines as a function of race and

zghnic origin. Psychophysiology, 1973, 10 (4), 426-

0.

 

Martin, B. The assessment of anxiety by physiological behavioral
measures. Psychological Bulletiny 1961, 58 (3), 234-255.

Martin, E.W. The RelationshipBetween Selected Physiological
and Psychological Reactibns othpecific Personality
Types to SimulatedFEmotionaI Encounters. UnpubliShed
Daggoralbissertation,‘Midhigan StateUniversity,
1 .

Mefferd, R.B., Jr., and Wieland, B.A. Comparison of responses
to anticipated stress and stress. Psychosomatic
Medicine, 1966, 28 (6), 795-807.

Mordkoff, A.M. The relationship between psychological and
physiological responses to stress. Psychosomatic
Medicine, 1964, 26, 135-150.

Oken, D., Grinker, R.R., Heath, H.A., Herz, M., Korchin, S.J.,
Sabshin, M., and Schwartz, N. Relation of physiological

response to affect expression. Archives of General
Psychiatry, 1962, 6, 336-351.

 

 

 

92

Opton, E. M.. Jr. and Lazarus, R. S. Personality determinants
of psychophysiological response to stress. Journal
of Personality and SOcial Psychology, 1967, 6 (3),

291-303.

Porier, G.W., and Lott, A.J. Galvanic skin response and pre-
judice. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology,
1967, 5 (3), 253-259.

Rankin, R.B., and Campbell, D.T. Galvanic skin response to
negro and white experimenters. Journal of Abnormal and
Social Paychology, 1955, 51, 30-33.

 

Roessler, R. Presidential address, 1972 personality, psycho-
hy siolo y, and performance. PsychophysiolOgy, 1973,
0y (4), 15- 327.

Schacter, S. The interaction of cognitive and physiological
determinants of emotional state. In Berkowitz, L.
(Ed.), Advances in Experimental Social Peychologyy New
York: Academic Press Inc., 1964.

Selye, H. The Physiology and Pathology of Exposure to Stress.
Montreal:.ACta,'Inc.,—l950.

Shapiro, D. and Crider, A. Psychophysiological approaches in
social psychology. In Lindzey, G., and Aronson, E.
(Eds. ), The Handbook of Social Psychology.
‘Massachusetts: Addison-wesley,71969,1-49.

 

Shapiro, D., and Leiderman, H.P. Acts and activation: A
psychophysiological study of social interaction. In
Leiderman, H.P., and Shapiro, D. (Eds.), Psychophysio-
logical Approaches to Social Behavior. Stanford:
Stanford University Press, I964.

 

Shapiro, D., and Schwartz, G.E. Psychophysiological contribu-
tions to social psychology. In Mussen, P. H. , and

Rosenzweig, M. R.. (Eds. ), Annual Review of P8 cholo
Palo Alto, California: AnnuaI Reviews, I970, 84- IIg.
Smith, B.D., and Strawbridge, P.J. The heart rate response to

a brief auditory and visual stimulus. Psychbphysiology,
1969, 6 (3), 317-329.

Speisman, J. C. Autonomic monitoring of ego defense process:
In Greenfield, N. S. , and Lewis, W. C. (Eds. ), Psycho-
analysis and Current Biological Thought. Madison,
gigcgfizin: ‘University of Wisconsin Press, 1965,

 

93

Speisman, J.C., Lazarus, R.S., Mordkoff, A., and Davison, L.
Experimental reduction of stress based on ego-defense
theory. JOurnal of Abnormal and SOCial Psychology,
1964, 68 (4), 367-380.

Speisman, J.C., Osborn, J., and Lazarus, R.S. Cluster analysis
of skin resistance and heart rate at rest and under ,.
stress. Psychosomatic Medicine, 1961, 23 (4), 323-343.

Sternbach, R.A., and Tursky, B. Ethnic differences among
housewives in psychophysical and skin potential res-
ponses to electric shock. Psychophysiology, 1965, 1
(3), 241-246.

 

Taylor, S.P., and Epstein, S. The measurement of autonomic
arousal. Psychosomatic Medicine, 1967, 29 (5), 514-525.

Thomson, MgL. A comparison between the number and distribu-
tion of functioning eccrine sweat glands in europeans
and africans. ‘JOUrnal of Physiology, 1954, 123, 225-233.

Vidulich, R.N., and Krevanick, F{W. Racial attitudes and
emotional response to visual representations of the
negro. The Journal of Psychology, 1966, 68, 85-93.

Weinberg, H. Heart rate feedback, anxiety, and psychophysio-
logical reactions under neutral and stress conditions.
Dissertation AbatraCts International, 1969, 30 (5-B),
2408-2409.

Weiss, MLH. The effects of videotape focused feedback on
facilitative genuineness in interracial encounters.
Dissertation Abstracts InternationalgL 1971, 32 (2-B),
1228.

'Wenger, MLA., Clemens, T.L., Coleman, D.R., Cullen, T.D., and
Engel, B.T. Autonomic response specificity. Psydho-
somatic Medicine, 1961, 28 (3), 185-193.

'Westie, F.R., and De Fleur, MgL. Autonomic responses and their
relationships to race attitudes. Journal of Abnormal
and Social Psychology, 1959, 58, 340-347.

APPENDICES

94

APPENDIX A

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

Name (optional)

 

Age

 

Year in school

 

Do you have any heart ailments?

Do you have any respiratory ailments?

Do you have high blood pressure?
Do you have a nervous condition?

Within the last five years, have
you had any major illnesses?

Within the last year, how many
colds or respiratory ailments
have you had?

‘Within the last year, how many
times have you had to miss school
or work because of illness?

What is your current major?

Yes
Yes
Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No
No
No
No

No

No

No

 

Black,

White,

White,
white,

White,
black,

White,

95
APPENDIX B

 

TEXT FOR VIGNETTES

Vignette #1 (19 seconds)
late-twenties,‘ma1e:

"I tell you, man. I can't take it much more.
You can get the fuck off my back. You know
what, I'm going to have to kick your ass.

I'm going to have to kick your fucking ass."

Vignette #2 (20 seconds)
mid-twenties, female:

"Okay, you want me to level with you? Okay,

I'll tell you. You're just a creep, You're

a goddamn creep!"

Vignette #3 (32 seconds)

mid-twenties, female and
mid-twenties, male:

(laughing, pointing) "WOuld you look at that?
I don't believe it. Oh, shh..."

Vignette #4 (20 seconds)

 

late-twenties, female and
late-twenties, male:

(silence while holding hands) "What the hell
are you looking at?" (stated by male)

Vignette #5 (40 seconds)
late-twenties, male:

"I've listened to you and I would like you to
know that I don't like your ideas one goddamn bit.
I think that you and people like you have caused

most of the misery around us and I'd like to come
right over there and ram your fudking teeth down

your throat."

96
APPENDIX B (Continued . . .)

 

Vignette #6 (38 seconds)

Black, mid-twenties, female and
black, late-twenties, male:

(laughing, pointing) "Shh.... shh...

97
APPENDIX C
SELECTED EXCERPTS FROM
RECALL SESSIONS
Vignette No. One (black male)
1. Subject 7/black male
Interviewer (I) -- How did he make you feel?

Subject 7 -- Nervous, uneasy.

2. Subject ll/black male
I -- How did he make you feel?

Subject ll -- He made me feel paranoid, you know,
but I was just looking out.

I -- Can you describe that? (effect)

Subject ll -- When he said that he made me a little
mad .

3. Subject 16/b1ack male

I -- Did it have any effect on you at all?

Subject l6 -- Ah, yeah, I felt somewhat threatened
but I really couldn't get into it
right there.

I -- That threatened part, what does that feel like?

Subject 16 -- Ah, like a blood rush, I could feel,
you know, the blood circulating maybe
quicker or faster at that time. Felt

warm-blooded, you know, felt warm-
blooded.

4. Subject 20/black male
I -- How did he make you feel?

Subject 20 -- He made me feel kind of uncomfortable
because, you know, like, by him look-
ing directly at me and then rising up
and then pointin , his expression,
you know, kind 0% made me feel un-
comfortable.

98
APPENDIX C (Continued . . .)
5. Subject 19/black male

 

I -- No, what kind of effect did it have on you?

Subject l9 -- Oh, at first I was just kind of
shaking, you know, I didn't realize
it, you know, my hands were trembling,
you know, they was like, you know,
like I was just nervous, you know,
but, you know, that's mostly what I
just felt, you know, just shaky, you
know.

6. Subject lZ/white male
I -- Can you describe your feelings?

Subject 12 -- You know, who does he think he is, I
was a little, if he would have been
talking directly to me, involved with
me, I would have been, you know,
like who do you think you are. I‘m a
little pissed at you too for being the
way you are, maybe I'm just as mad
at you?

I -- Were you?

Subject 12 -- Yeah, I would have been if somebody
had come up and said that to me, you
know, and I would have gotten really
quite upset with himm

I -- What about in this particular situation?

Subject 12 -- I couldn't get, I was a little, but
then I guess I was starting to feel a
little bit, you know, back off.

I -- Can you label the feeling?

Subject 12 -- Maybe the beginning of anger, but it
was, you know, hard to, it wasn't
really it but it could have been.

7. Subject lO/white male
I -- What do you recall about that first one?

Subject 10 -- Ah, just a little uncomfortable, I
guess, you know, like trying to get
into, like being threatened.

99

APPENDIX C (Continued . . .)

 

9.

Subject 10 -- Some feeling of being threatened, yes.
I -- Can you tell how your body felt?

Subject 10 -- I think at one point I felt a little
bit tingling.

. Subject 9/white male

I -- What can you recall on that one?

Subject 9 -- I was, I can recall I wanted to say
fuck you back, and ah, I wouldn't have
minded trying.

I -- What did you think about it?

Subject 9 -- well, I think, it pisses you off when
somebody says anything like that to
you, it makes you mad, so you know, I
should have, I would have reacted, I
just realized after that started going
there was a microphone here, I probably
would have said something through it.
I did, I think, after a while.

I -- At one point you did. You said he pissed you off?

Subject 9 -- Ya, sure anybody would, you know, when
he starts calling you stuff like that
and oh, I'm.not prejudiced or anything,
‘well, no, well not really prejudiced
out and out. I think, you know, I
have some prejudice in me because of
where I've grown up but ah, well maybe
that made it a little more, yeah, maybe
a little more. I think if I ever saw
one like that.

I -- You mean because he was black might have.

Subject 9 -- It added a bit more to it, you know, I
mean when he said fuck you it came off,
it probably came across a little bit
more than when the white guy when he
was giving me the hard time.

Subject 4/white male

Subject 4 -- The whole time I was trying to figure
out what he was, I couldn't figure out,

100

APPENDIX C (Continued . . .)

I was threatened but I didn't know why.
I just didn't understand why I felt
threatened. I didn't know, I hadn't
done anything.

I -- What was that feeling like?

Subject 4 -- Um, I couldn't understand it, I was
threatened and I didn't know why, so
it was frustrating. I couldn't figure
out, there was no reason for me (in-
audible).

Vignette No. Four (Mixed Couple)

1. Subject 4/white male

3.

Subject 4 -- That one, I just, I didn't understand
anything about that one at all. Um,
I just sat here and (inaudible), I
couldn't, I couldn't relate to it at
all, it's just something I, the others
were something I could relate to one
way or another and this one I just
didn't know what to think or do.

Subject 4 -- Yeah, I was trying to figure out, I
didn t, I didn't understand what it was
about.

. Subject l6/black male

I -- What about there, what can you recall?

Subject l6 -- Um, wow, not too much, not too much
at all because it was so short. It
kind of just hit me like that. I
really couldn't get my mind in tune to
it so quickly, because he was on and
off just like that. I don't really
remember too much, I really don't think
I had a reaction to it.

Subject lO/white male

I -- This was the mixed couple where he said what
the hell you looking at.

101
APPENDIX C (Continued . . .)

 

Subject 10 -- I didn't really have much feeling
about that at all.

I -- Do you feel, how did that make you feel, that
he reacted towards you that way?

Subject 10 -- Like it was his problem.and not mine.
I -- Did it have any impact on you?

Subject 10 -- Not really.

4. Subject 19/black male

Subject 19 -- That was, now that one should have
struck me, I mean really terrible, you
know, it should have.

I -- Did it?

Subject l9 -- Not really, not really, not really,
it was, it was cool, but not really.

5. Subject 3/white male
I -- Do you recall anything about that one?

Subject 3 -- Even before that line came out I was
not really in obedience with your in-
structions I'm afraid because I was
thinking here comes the mixed couple
response test and I regret that, but
I was just kind of pulled out from the
situation a little more on that one.

6. Subject 18/black male

Subject 18 -- Um, it was, it seemed kind of fake to
me so it didn't have any real emotional
effect on me, but ah, in a real situ-
ation, the way he reacted it would
have seemed like a defensive type of
thing, you know.

7. Subject l4/black male

I -- What did you think about that one, what can you
recall?

102

Subject l4 - Well, it didn't have any effect on me
until he just turned around and asked
me what I was looking at. That kind
of shocked me.

I -- Shocked you?
Subject 14 -- Yeah.
I -- Can you go into that more?

Subject 14 -- I was just surprised when he turned
around, what are you looking at, you
know. I wanted to say (inaudible).

I -- Did it bother you?
Subject l4 -- No.

I think it was less effective, you know,
because you know, it wasn't as long, it
was just that little, what you looking
at (inaudible).

8. Subject 6/white male

Subject 6 -- Unfair of him.because, I don't know,
It is just, I thought of like going up
and talking to him.or something like
that. I thought maybe, I don't know,
I thought maybe he was in a bad mood
or something.

 

I -- Did it bother you?

Subject 6 -- No.

Vignette No. Two (White female)
1. Subject l7/white male
I -- Did you feel anything?
Subject 17 -- well, again not particularly, it just

don't seem, you know, maybe I just
don't react.

2. Subject l4/black male

I -- How about this one?

103
APPENDIX C (Continued . .

Subject l4 -- It didn't have much effect on me, you
know. Like you know, I'was hearing
it but I*wasn' t believing it, you
know, what she was saying.

3. Subject 18/black male
I -- Okay, what about this one?

Subject l8 -- Again, I didn't believe it, I would
have had to believe what she was say-
ing to really affect me. I didn't
believe it so I took it as an outside
comment.

I -- Did she have any effect on you at all?

Subject 18 -- Not really. Like I said, I didn't
accept it so I didn't it didn't pose
as any threat to me.

Um, the fact that she was a woman
probably meant less to me as far as a
physical threat.

4. Subject 15/black male
I -- What about that one?
Subject 15 -- I don't know, that one just, I don't
know. I guess I was used to the feel-

ing by then and, I don't know, it
didn't seem to do too much.

 

5. Subject 10/white male.
I -- On that one?

Subject 10 -- I didn't feel too much on that one, I
don't know, I guess my feeling was
that she was coming on, you know,
kind of strong. I suppose if I' d
have had to answer it back, I' d have
been a lot more uncomfortable.

6. Subject l3/black male

I -- What about that one?

104

Subject 13 -- That was generally about the same
effect. I really didn't do anything
for me, you know. I was starting to
try and figure out, you know, what was
this about, you know. It didn't
really mean anything to me, you know.

7. Subject 5/black male

Subject 5 -- Ah, I felt kind of detached from her,
you know, because it wasn't, I couldn't
really identify with her. I couldn't
get into the thing, like I couldn't
imagine a white broad just saying,
you re a creep.

I -- Why couldn't you identify with it?
Subject 5 -- Probably, the main reason probably be-

cause she was white, you know, and
coming on me in that way.

8. Subject 19/black male

I -- Okay, what about that one?

Subject l9 -- That one I didn't like, it didn't have
any effect on me.

I guess it's because it's a female
didn't scare me, she was just there,
you know.

Vignette No. Five (White Male)
1. Subject 4/white male

Subject 4 -- I thought the guy was pretty fucked
(inaudible) that's about it. That's
what I was thinking about, I thought,
I put myself in (inaudible) I thought
if he'd come over I'd have probably
punched him in the mouth (inaudible).

2. Subject 5lblack male

Subject 5 -- That one caused a little nervous feel-
ing I guess. Because I didn't know

105

where the dude was coming across and
being I got a little angry because he
‘was coming on, out on me like that.

And then he said it's you and people
like you, I said, oh wow, you know (in-
audible).

I -- What do you think he meant by that?

Subject 5 -- I took a racial connotation to it,
you know, I guess that made me madder
than anything.

. Subject l4/b1ack male
I -- Did it get to you at all?

Subject l4 -- I think when he said he was going to
ram.my teeth down my throat, I think
that kind of got to me, I started

thinking, well, it was really true
(inaudible).

. Subject ZO/black male

Subject 20 -- I was a little bit offended because,
you know, I thought he was talking
about me, you know, racially, and when
he said ideas, you know, I said, oh wow,
you know, this guy don't like the way I
am thinking or the way that I portray
myself and I‘m trying to express myself
in one way and, you know, he is just
cutting me up and things like that.

He's saying that I'm no good and this
and that, you know. I felt kind of
like I wanted to get up and hit him
almost because he made me feel kind of bad.

. Subject 8/white male

I -- Do you recall that one?

Subject 8 -- Yeah, right at the .end of that one it
started making me feel like really
angry at that guy (inaudible).

. Subject ll/black male

106

Subject 11 -- Well, at that time I was kind of
scared, you know, well I felt kind
of scared, probably thought the guy
'was schizophrenia or something. I
mean, I felt like I was just scared.

I -- HOW’did this compare to the first guy that came
on?

Subject ll -- Well you see, that, I felt like I
could cope with it, you know, I prob-
ably could talk to him, you know, for
the simple reason that he was black.

Because he was white. I felt like he
had a racial dispute.

7. Subject l6/black male

Subject l6 -- That one, that one made me more, that
made me more hostile. I wasn't so.
I wasn't really hostile towards any
of the other people except this parti-
cular man because he really got into
what he was saying and he did pose a
real threat, I really felt he was the
most threatening after that point.

I -- What was different about that one that had more
of an effect on you?

Subject 16 -- Maybe it was because he was a white
man, that's a possibility and, ah,
too the way he was dressed.

8. Subject 9/white male
I -- You said you were getting pissed here?
Subject 9 -- Yeah, I think that was the guy really
got me, I remember that, he s sitting
there telling me all this about my ideas.
Vignette No. Six (Black couple)
1. Subject 9/white male

I -- Did they make you feel any different from the
other couple?

107
APPENDIX C (Continued . . .)

Subject 9 -- Well, you know, they were black, but
I would think I would get more upset
but I didn't really.

2. Subject ll/black male

I -- What can you recall on that one?

Subject ll -- Okay, right there I felt like, I
didn't feel like, you know, I wasn't
mad because they were laughing at me.

I felt like you know, like it was a
bunch of friends sitting around, joking
and laughing probably a little hi h or
something, and they were just foo ing
around.

Because of the, you know, racial differ-
ence and with the black couple I didn't,
I just felt like we were, you know, to-
getherly I felt like with the white
couple that we were, like maybe I had
intruded on someone, you know, maybe
came to a.white party.

3. Subject l8/black male
I -- Did it have any effect on you?

Subject 18 -- No. It probably had the least of all
of them (inaudible) the least of all
the (inaudible). Um, I just pictured
them as acting silly, you know, that's
about it.

4. Subject 7/black male

Subject 7 -- Whereas this couple right here, I, from
the very beginning, you know, I could
see that they were just acting silly,
playing around with each other. ‘While
they appeared briefly to be looking my
way, they seemed to be acting stupid
more than anything else.

5. Subject lS/black male

108
APPENDIX C (Continued . . .)

I -- So, how did it make you feel?

Subject 15 -- I felt pretty uncomfortable, you
know, knowing her, I didn't know who
the dude was but like just knowin
Dorothy was there, You know, I feIt
more comfortable.

6. Subject l3/black male

Subject 13 -- They just, ah, just come to mind,
you know, to me as two silly individuals,
that, ah, I just would not care to deal
with.

109
APPENDIX D

VARIANCE DATA

Vignettes (RR)

 

The variance data for RR showed the black group to
have a higher variance across all vignettes except Vl (a black
male) where the groups seemed equal. The vignettes with the
highest variance were V3 (a white couple) and V1 for the
black and white groups, respectively. Vignettes two and five
had the lowest variance for the black group while the white
group did not have a clear lOW’pOint for variance. Overall,
the white group had a more consistent, less labile pattern

while viewing the vignettes (see Figure 1).

Rest Periods (RR)

 

The overall variance patterns for the two groups were
fairly consistent except on R7, where the black group increased
sharply. The highest variance was found in R7 for the black
group and R1 for the white group, although the white group
did not have a distinct low variance period. The black group

had its lowest variance during R5 (see Figure 2).

Vignettes (RD)
Looking at variance,the white group appeared to have
a higher variance on RD during the first three vignettes and
the black group had a higher variance over the last three.
The high and low variance vignettes for the white group were V1

and V4, respectively, and V5 and V2 for the black group.

Respiration Rate
Variances

110
Figure l
Respiration rate variances for subjects

during vignette periods

10

019me

----- White

 

 

1 2 3 4 S 6
Vignette Periods

Respiration Rate
Variances

111

Figure 2

Respiration rate variances for subjects
during rest periods

10

 

Black
----- White

 

enema:

 

 

Rest Periods

_n
O

Respiration Rate
Variances

one-moo

 

112

Figure 33

Respiration rate variances for subjects during
total experimental period

Black

 

 

Total Experimental Period

Respiration Depth

Variances

113
Figure 4

Respiration depth variances for subjects
during vignette periods

12
10 \
\\
8 \v"’\\
\

6 \»-,—~‘~~

4

2 Black
0 ----- White

 

 

l 2 3 4 5 6
Vignette Periods

114
The group patterns were almost the opposite of each other
with the white group moving from high to low variance and
the black group for the most part changing from lower to

higher variance (see Figure 4).

Rest Periods (RD)

 

In regard to variance, the white group was found to
have a higher variance across all rest periods. In addition,
the white group showed its highest variance during R3 and
least during R , while the black group displayed its highest

variance during R1 and least during R6 (see Figure 5).

Vignettes in Relation to'ReSt Periods (RD)

During the first half of the experiment, the white
group had a higher variance than the black group. However,
over the second half of the experiment, the white group showed
higher variance only on the vignettes and the black group had
higher variances on the rest periods. All of the vignettes
for the white group were followed by rest periods with a
higher variance and, except for V5, the same was true for the

black group (see Figure 6).

Vignettes (HR)_

The white group was found to have a higher variance
across all the vignettes. The white group showed its highest
variance during V3 and the black group on V(1), which also

happened to be the low variance for the white group along with

115
V(5). Vignette number four was the low variance vignette for

the black group (see Figure 7).

Rest Periods (HRyy

The variance data for HR showed the white group to
have a higher variance throughout the rest periods. Rest
period number three was where both groups showed their highest
variance. The white group did not have an obvious low variance
period and the black group was only slightly lower during R(2).
Generally speaking, the group patterns were very similar (see

Figure 8).

Vignettes in Relation to Rest Periods (HR)

On the heart rate measure, the white group was found to
have a higher variance throughout the experiment. Also,
vignettes two, three, four and six for the white group were
followed by a rest period with a lower variance. It is quite
interesting that for the black group these same vignettes(V(2),
V(3), V(4), and V(6)),were followed by a rest period with a

higher variance (see Figure 9).

Vignettes (E801)

The white group also had a higher variance across all
vignettes. Both groups showed their highest variance during
V2 with the black group's lowest variance on V5 and the white
group on V6’ The group patterns showed the white group start-
ing out with a much higher variance than the black group which

increased before taking a sharp decline and finishing with a

Respiration Depth

Variances

15
13
ll

HUDU'INKD

116

Figure 5

Respiration depth variances for subjects

 

during rest periods

B1ack
----- White

 

3 4 5 6 7
Rest Periods

Respiration Depth
Variances

117

Figure 6

Respiration depth variances for subjects during
total experimental period

 

 

 

15 '____‘Black
13 f\ ----- White
11

9

7

5

3

1 1

R1 V1 R2 V2 R3 V3 R4 V4 R5 V5 R6 V6 R7

Total Experimental Period

Heart Rate
Variances

17
15
13
11

118

Figure 7

Heart rate variances for subjects during

vignette periods

Black
----- White

 

 

l

2 3 4 5 6
Vignette Periods

Heart Rate
Variables

20
l8
16
14
12
10

119

Figure 8

Heart rate variances for subjects
during rest periods

 

 

l 2 3 4 5 6 7
Rest Periods

120
variance level close to that of the black group. Generally,
both groups showed high variance, however, the white group

seemed much more so (see Figure 10).

Vignettes (ESCZ)

The white group again had a higher variance than the
black group across all vignettes. The black group showed its
highest variance on vignettes two and three with V3 also being
where the white group showed its highest variance. The low
variance vignettes were V6 for the white group and V1 for
the black group. As a whole, the black group had a lower
variance but the group patterns were similar throughout and
the group variances finally came together at V6 when the white
group variance decreased to the black group levels (see Figure

11).

Rest Periods (ESC1 and E802)

Whereas the group means for ESC went from similar
patterns to different patterns, the variance patterns went
from the groups being far apart over the first four rest
periods to being very similar over the last three periods.
This variance pattern was not unlike that found for RD vari-
ances. The white group showed its highest variance during R3
and lowest variance during R6' One should note that the white
group also showed its highest variance during R.3 on HR and RD.
Rest period seven proved to have the highest variance for the

black group, and R1 the lowest variance (see Figure 12).

Heart Rate

Variances

20
18
16
14
12
10

 

121.
Figure 59
Heart rate variances for subjects during

total experimental period

Black
------ White

’—-‘

 

R] V R2 V R3 V3 R4 V4 R5 V5 R6 V6 R7

Total Experimental Period

Electrical Skin Conductance (E501) Variances

 

122

Figure 10

Electrical skin conductance (E5C1) variances for
subjects during vignette periods

 

Black

------ White

 

1 2 3 4 5

Vignette Periods

Electrical Skin Conductance (E502) Variances

9o
85
so
75
7o
65
so
55
so
45
4o
35

25
20
15

 

‘123

Figure ll.

Electrical skin conductance (ESCZ) variances for
subjects during vignette periods

B1ack
------ White

 

2 3 4 5 6

Vignette Periods

Electrical Skin Conductance (ESC] & E502) Variances

9O
85

75
7O
65
60
55

45
40
35
30
25
20
15

~124

Figure 12

Electrical skin conductance (ESC; & ESCZ)
variances for subjects during
rest periods

 

 

Black

------ White

 

1 2 3 4

Rest Periods

5

125
Vignettes in Relation to Rest Periods(ESC1 and ESCZ)

The variance findings for ESC1 showed the black group
to have a higher variance throughout the experiment with the
exceptions of R5 and R1. Also, with the exception of V5, all
the vignettes for the black group were followed by rest
periods with lower variances. On the other hand, all of the
vignettes for the white group were followed by rest periods
with higher variances. By and large, the group patterns were
very similar and nearly the same at the end of the experiment
(see Figure 13).

In contrast to ESCl, the findings for ESC2 showed the
white group to have a higher variance except for R5 and R7.
For the black group, vignettes one, four, five, and six were
followed by rest periods with higher variances. Such was the
case for the white group on vignettes one, two, four, and six.
Over the first two-thirds of the experiment, the white group
had a much higher variance but the group patterns were close

together over the last one-third (see Figure 14).

'126
Figure 13

Electrical skin conductance (ESC1) variances for subjects
during total experimental period

200
130 I1
160 ’ ‘

_____Bl ack

------ White

—J—l—l
CN-k
Coo

Electrical Skin Conductance
(ESC1) Variances

 

 

 

R] V] R2 V2 R3 V3 R4 V4 R5 V5 R6 V5 R7
Total Experimental Period

Electrical Skin Conductance (ESCZ) Variances

90
85

75
7O
65
60
55

45
4O
35

25
20
15

127’

Figure 14

Electrical skin conductance (ESCZ) variances for subjects
during total experimental period

 

 

 

 

Black
------ White
/A
/ \
I
7 \
/ 1
/
,~"-‘J
I
I
/
I
......l
R] V1 R2 V2 R3 V3 R4 V4 R5 V5 R6 V6 R7

Total Experimental Period

 

 

1110-11an STATE UNIV. LIBRARIES
lllll”WImm1HIWINIHWNI‘llllllllllllllW
31293008149621