title: Film-induced amusement changes in saliva cortisol levels.
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.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychology, University of Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hubert
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Möller
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de Jong-Meyer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009040:Motion Pictures; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000502:physiology; D012016:Reference Values; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*; D014925:Wit and Humor as Topic
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone