The effects of intertarget-interval certainty and length on autonomic and cortical reactivity in type A and type B males

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Norman B. Anderson (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
M. Russell Harter

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the psychophysiological effects of waiting and uncertainty in young Type A and Type B males. It was hypothesized that Type subjects would exhibit greater sympathetically medicated cardiovascular changes (as measured by pulse transit time) than Type B subjects on a reaction time task where the intertarget interval (ITI) was relatively long as opposed to short, and when the ITI was uncertain or unpredictable. The prediction on ITI length was based on the notion that Type A subjects have a preference for a more rapid pacing of activities. It was also hypothesized that Type A subjects would evidence greater cortical reactivity when target stimulus occurrence was uncertain or unpredictable. The combination of relatively long and uncertain ITIs was also expected to enhance cardiovascular and cortical responses in Type As relative to Bs.

Additional Information

Publication
Dissertation
Language: English
Date: 1983
Subjects
Type A behavior $x Health aspects
Psychophysiology
Reaction time
Cardiovascular system $x Psychophysiology
Cerebral cortex $x Psychophysiology
Uncertainty $x Psychological aspects

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