HEART RATE RESPONSE TO SOUND AND LIGHT

The heart rate (HR) response to five intensities of sound was examined in 18 subjects and to five intensities of light in 12 subjects. Each subject was tested on four occasions at monthly intervals. After covariance adjustment, significant acceleration to sound was found within the first 5 beats after stimulus onset but no significant deceleration occurred. There were no differences between testings. Individuals’ HR acceleration was reliable over testings and differing experimental contexts. No habituation occurred and no consistent relationship between HR response and ego strength was found. There was no significant HR response to light stimulation. The results were discussed in relation to Graham and Clifton's (1966) hypotheses concerning the relationship of the HR response to the orienting reflex (OR).