Positive emotion induction improves cardiovascular coping with a cognitive task

PeerJ

article

Francisco Molins¹  Tania Pérez-Calleja¹  Diana Abad-Tortosa¹  Adrian Alacreu-Crespo¹  Miguel Ángel Serrano-Rosa¹ 

[1] Department of Psychobiology, Universidad de Valencia

关键词: Positive emotions;    Emotional induction;    Tower of Hanoi;    Heart-rate variability;    Cognition;    Coping;   

DOI  :  10.7717/peerj.10904

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Inra

【 摘 要 】

Feeling positive emotions seems to favour an adaptive cardiovascular response (greater heart rate variability, HRV), associated with improved cognitive performance. This study aims to test whether the induction of a positive emotional state produce such cardiovascular response and therefore, enhance coping and performance in Tower of Hanoi (ToH). Forty-two Participants were randomly distributed into two groups (Experimental and Control). Experimental group was subjected to the evocation of a memory of success, while control group was subjected to an attentional task before performing ToH. Heart Rate Variability (HRV), activity of the zygomatic major muscle (ZEMG) and emotions were measured. Emotional induction increased ZEMG activity, feelings of emotional valence and HRV, but the performance in ToH was not different from control. Experiencing positive emotions seems to favour an adaptive psychophysiological response when faced with a complex cognitive task. These results are discussed in relation to clinical practice and health.

【 授权许可】

CC BY