Repression-sensitization and cardiac responses to threat

Abstract

The validity of a self-report personality measure may perhaps be tested against subsequent autonomic responses. In this experiment defensive styles of 79 male adults were classified using Byrne's repression-sensitization scale. Physiological reactions (heart rate and skin conductance) of these subjects were recorded during the viewing, two years later, of a film on lung cancer. Results showed that defensive style was related to heart rate responses. However, this relationship was not found in the high threat condition. Two explanations for this are suggested.