The outward expression of anger, the inward experience of anger and CVR: The role of vocal expression

Two hypotheses were tested: (1) that only the outward expression of anger not ifs mere experience is associated with heightened cardiovascular reactivity; and (2) that the discussion of anger-arousing experiences in a mood incongruent speech style (soft and slow) attenuates the subjective experience of anger and its cardiovascular correlates. Each of 24 subjects participated in three experimental conditions: (1) Anger-out, in which previously experienced anger-arousing events were described loudly and quickly; (2) Anger-in, in which anger-arousing events were relived inwardly, in subject's imagination; and (3) mood-incongruent speech, in which anger-arousing events were described softly and slowly. Only the Anger-out condition was associated with high cardiovascular reactivity levels. The Anger-in and the mood-incongruent conditions were associated with near-zero and very low reactivity levels, respectively. Subjective anger ratings were highest in the Anger-out condition, moderate in the Anger-in condition, and lowest (not angry) in the mood-incongruent condition. All differences were significant. These findings suggest that the full-blown expression of anger in all of its paraverbal intensity, is pathogenic and that the mere inner experience of anger is not.