Cardiovascular reactivity during public speaking as a function of personality variables

An experiment was conducted to assess the effects of a real-life stressor ( public speaking) upon cardiovascular reactivity (CVR). Changes in blood pre ssure and heart rate from baseline to task were measured in a sample of 86 men and women. The purpose was to examine the effects of individual differe nces (Type A personality, hostility and gender) on CVR. Participants gave a 6-min oral presentation during which they were evaluated by their professo r and with classmates as the audience. Results indicated that all participa nts had marked CVR during public speaking. There were differences in reacti vity patterns between men and women, but personality did not play a role ex cept for high hostile men. It is suggested that intense stressors may resul t in high levels of CVR independent of personality variables that moderate reactivity at lower levels of stress. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All ri ghts reserved.