The study of emotional processes in communication: II. Peripheral blood flow as an indicator of emotionalization

Abstract

Traditional methods of analyzing human peripheral blood flow (PBF) do not account for its continuous nature or small-scale variation, Sequel transformation is presented as a new methodology for measuring these variations. This analysis generates a richer record of aspects of activation of the autonomous nervous system than traditional interbeat-interval (IBI) measurement. Presumably, in addition to heartbeat (i.e., IBI), other information can be extracted that is consistent with the influence of several physiological and psychological factors. This kind of variation is reflected in the PBF signal. After determining and extracting relevant events from vascular volume data generated by sequel transformation, we demonstrate the use of template analysis to analyze patterns of events as time courses of activation. All procedures are included in the computer program VASC Analyzer.

The study of emotional processes in communication: I. Measuring emotionalization in everyday face-to-face communicative interaction

“…The model and the principle form the conceptual basis for the assumption of meaningful variation, which, resolved by systematic contrastive analysis of standard and deviation courses of behavior, yields hypotheses to be tested by quasi-experimental procedures. The implementation of these ideas is elaborated further with regard to physiology (Jossen et al, 2000) and head movement (Altorfer et aI., 2000). The preliminary steps ofthe analysis of vocal aspects of behavior are also documented (Zimmermann et aI., 1998).…”

“…A definition of these events is dependent on knowledge of the relevant behavioral domain and its biological limitations. Its realization lies in, for example, filtering out improbable frequency bands in vocal records (see Zimmermann et al, 1998) or noncontinuous jumpy head movements ; see also Jossen et al, 2000, for a definition and the respective detection procedures of unlikely events in peripheral blood flow changes). Computer-based detection of noise as opposed to the prevention of its occurrence through behavioral restrictions has advantages.…”

A conceptual frame model for the analysis of aggression in social interactions.

“…The next step in the development of our multi-modal ambulatory assessment strategy would be the recording of biological processes in the field, e.g., by measuring testosterone levels in the field, or by recording arousal processes in social interactions continuously and noninvasively by measuring subjects’ vascular dilation or blood vessel volume at one of their fingertips (see Jossen, Käsermann, Altorfer, Foppa, Zimmermann & Hirsbrunner, 2000).…”

Measurement and meaning of head movements in everyday face-to-face communicative interaction

“…Context variables, which provide additional information-for example, psychophysiological variables (see Jossen et al, 2000), and verbal analyses (see Kase-rmann et al, 2000)-on the one hand (Step 5), and which point out the importance of a new research strategy, on the other, should be taken into consideration (Step 6). An exact description of the circumstances in which distinct behavior patterns occur is assessed to give evidence for their functional interpretation-for example, as a symptomatic reflection of biological processes.…”

“…A comprehensive analysis of social situations and verbal interaction must accompany the analysis of head movements. In this respect, methodological links to other behavioral domains should provide additional procedures that evaluate, for example, the course ofverbal interaction (see Kasermann, Altorfer, Foppa, Jossen, & Zimmermann, 2000) and variables of psychophysiological activity (see Jossen et al, 2000).…”