Physiology of Emotions
Significant interest in the connection between emotional reactions and the functioning of internal organs arose after the experiments of Egon Brunswik became known. In these experiments, rubber balloons were placed in the gastrointestinal tract (stomach and duodenum) of participants to record the dynamics of digestive system activity. Emotional stimuli included sudden and unexpected sounds (such as a gunshot), physical pain (like an electric shock), and even bringing a rat close to the participant’s face.
The experiments established that the degree of change in digestive organ activity depended on the strength of the emotional response. However, it turned out that the physiological reaction was influenced not only by the intensity of the stimulus but also by the “color” or quality of the affective-emotional reaction. Emotions such as fear, jealousy, disappointment, irritation, distress, and pain caused a decrease in muscle tension in the walls of the stomach and duodenum. Surprise increased tension, while delight, amazement, and joy had no effect on the gastrointestinal tract.
The modality of emotional manifestations also had its own specifics. Emotions associated with readiness for action (tension, anger) led to increased blood pressure. When a person experienced feelings of hopelessness or helplessness due to a critical factor, blood pressure decreased.
In this context, it’s worth mentioning an interesting conversation between one of the book’s authors and Oleg Vyacheslavovich Shcherbatykh, head of the Ural Polygraph Bureau, during a conference held by the International Academy for the Study of Lies in late 2017. Shcherbatykh wondered why, according to American approaches, only an increase in blood pressure is considered an informative reaction parameter. In his experience, the opposite process—pressure dropping—often occurred. The co-author admitted to not having enough expertise in this area, as he used plethysmogram and photoplethysmogram channels in his testing practice. It seems that the phenomena observed by Shcherbatykh can be explained by the content of this paragraph.
Ax’s research revealed that fear and anger affect the functional state of subjects differently. Anger caused a more significant increase in diastolic pressure (often with temporary slowing of the heart) and sharp changes in skin conductance. Fear, on the other hand, was accompanied by a greater decrease in skin resistance, sudden spikes in muscle tension, and shorter breathing cycles (faster breathing). Ax hypothesized that anger is associated with the release of norepinephrine into the blood, while fear is linked to an adrenaline surge, explaining these differences. However, other researchers found that these studies could not account for all phenomena in every case. The specificity of reactions was always related to individual characteristics and the organs and systems affected.
The most systematic data on such manifestations can be found in the work of Ya. Reikovsky. According to Reikovsky, traces of emotional arousal are most strongly reflected in changes in the circulatory system, including blood pressure, heart rate, and vessel dilation. Surprise and unexpectedness often cause a brief increase in blood pressure, dilation of blood vessels in skeletal muscles and the brain, constriction of abdominal vessels, and sometimes an increased pulse. Threats to life and health or painful stimuli raise blood pressure. Strong positive emotions noticeably increase pulse rate, while apathy and depression lower heart rate.
Short-term emotional processes are most clearly reflected in breathing, affecting its rate and amplitude, as well as the ratio between inhalation and exhalation (the Störring-Benussi index). Any strong emotional reaction increases breathing rate and depth. Sudden and sharp stimuli cause a brief breath-hold, which can later lead to disorganization of the respiratory process. Threats increase the duration of inhalation.
Under the influence of psychogenic factors, blood composition changes: there is an increase in globulin, fibrinogen, and multinuclear lymphocytes, and a decrease in lymphocytes and hemoglobin. There are also non-localized changes, such as changes in body temperature, pupil dilation, and a decrease or alteration in saliva composition.
Key Conclusions
- Changes in the activity of internal organs are generally highly labile. The same measured parameter at different times and in different situations provides different information about the strength, modality, and “color” of the emotional process.
- The dynamics of physiological activity in organs and systems are not identical for all people. In the overall combination of physiological reactions characteristic of a particular type of emotional-affective manifestation, there can always be significant differences due to individual characteristics. Moreover, the same emotion can cause different configurations of changes in internal organ activity, depending on its expression (intensity) and modality.
In this regard, it is important to make a significant note for polygraph professionals. The fascination of some specialists (especially those oriented toward American practices) with so-called “Kircher parameters” is puzzling. The inadequacy of American technologies and the validity, accuracy, and reliability of their chosen mathematical models—regarding their compliance with psychological laws—have already been discussed in A.Yu. Molchanov’s book “NotUtah: An Alternative View on the Theory and Practice of Polygraph Testing.”
Excerpt from the book “Pharmacology for Polygraph Examiners” by A. Yu. Molchanov and N. A. Molchanova, 2018, International Academy for the Study of Lies