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Film-induced amusement changes in saliva cortisol levels

PsychoneuroendocrinologyPublished 1 January 1993
Walter Hubert, Mary D. Moller, R DEJONGMEYER
Citations44
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score1.45
SNIP1.16

TL;DR

During amusement 50% of the subjects showed changes in saliva cortisol correlated positively with ratings of funniness, suggesting cortisol secretion may be linked to emotional arousal, regardless of the emotional valence.

Abstract

The present study, aimed at investigating effects of film-induced amusement on saliva cortisol levels, was performed on 52 healthy male volunteers, aged 19-31 years. They were assigned to an amusement or a control condition. Saliva cortisol and affective film ratings were the dependent variables. During amusement 50% of the subjects showed changes in saliva cortisol correlated positively with ratings of funniness. Thus, cortisol secretion may be linked to emotional arousal, regardless of the emotional valence.

Keywords

MedicineNeuroscience