A failure to explain the effects of false heart-rate feedback on affect by induced changes in physiological response.

An experiment was performed to validate and extend the self-persuasion hypothesis of Valins by using slide stimuli reported to create strong unpleasant feelings. The hypothesis suggests that in situations where there is no immediate explanation of induced arousal in terms of a cue of false heart-rate feedback then reported affect is dependent on a cognitive interpretation. Evidence is presented in the present study which not only supports such an interpretation but finds no support for a previous study that reported changes in affect to be a consequence of induced changes in actual physiological responses. The implication of this discrepancy from the previous reported findings are related to the possible efficiency of techniques of systematic desensitization.