The physiological differentiation between fear and anger in humans.

SIMULTANEOUS multiple recording of several physiological reactions during emotional changes may serve several purposes. The primary purpose is to add to our understanding of the precise nature of the total emotional reaction, which has not been adequately studied. From the psychological point of view, the details of the physiological state constitute an essential part of the conditions existing at the time of observation. Multiple recording contributes more than the mere addition of variables for observation. The quantitative patterns of these differentially influenced processes (such as blood pressure, heart rate, sweating, skin temperature) provide a qualitative description of the emotional state at the physiological level and may be diagnostic of the type of emotional reaction. This characteristic of being differentially influenced by varying emotional states was an essential consideration in selecting which variables to record. Other criteria for selecting the variables were that they be available for continuous recording and that recording them would not seriously disturb the subject. The multiple-variable approach for studying physiological states may provide answers to three different questions: ( i ) Can individuals be classified in terms of their physiological reaction syndromes, which are paradigmed by