MODULATING EFFECTS OF PERSONALITY AND SITUATIONAL APPRAISAL ON THE AUTONOMIC RESPONSE TO A PUBLIC SPEAKING TASK IN HEALTHY WOMEN

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of personality traits and subjective appraisal on the cardiovascular and electrodermal responses to a social laboratory stressor (public speaking) in a sample of 16 healthy young women. Skin conductance responses, heart rate (HR) and finger pulse volume (FPV) were measured during the rest period, preparation, task and recovery periods of an academic career speech. Subjects were classified, as high/low according to their scores in the EPQ and STAI questionnaires and in subjective measures. Subjects showed a significant increase in physiological activation during the preparation and speech phases, compared to the baseline and recovery periods, this activation being modulated by the personality and appraisal variables. More extrovert subjects showed higher electrodermal response frequency during all the recording phases. Subjects who perceived the task as more difficult showed higher HR values. Finally, those perceiving a higher stress and effort showed a greater percentage change in FPV. The results support the use of public speaking tasks as a good laboratory stressor, as well as the importance the individual’s subjective experience and the personality traits as variables modulating such response.