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Psychophysiological responses of HR and skin
conductance have been measured during anticipation of
electric shock. Deane (1961) found that during anticipation
of shock, HR accelerated over the baseline level.
Additionally, in the groups who expected to receive shock
when a 'target' number was presented, there was HR
deceleration immediately preceding that number, even though,
in one of these groups no shock had ever been received.
These finding have been replicated (Elliot, 1966; Deane,
1969; Hodges & Spielberger, 1966). Threat of electric shock
has also been found to produce increases in SCR (Bowers,
1971a, 1971b). Positron emission tomography (PET)
measurements of regional blood flow have also been obtained
during anticipation of electric shock (Reiman, Fusselman,
Fox, & Raichle, 1989). Reiman and colleagues found that
during anticipatory anxiety, there was significant blood
flow increases to both temporal poles.
The investigation of the psychophysiology of pleasant
and appetitive anticipation has received minimal attention
in the experimental human literature. Consequently,
psychophysiological responding during pleasant anticipation
must be inferred from other studies. Based on the results
of the above literature, it is likely that anticipation of
pleasant stimuli would evoke physiological changes similar
to those found during presentation of pleasant stimuli
(i.e., increased zygomatic EMG and SCR) Also, based on the