Effects of short-term preparation on unexpected film stress

Abstract.— A hypothesis concerning the process of suppressing expected film stress was based on data from a previous study and tested in the present study. It was predicted that the "astonishment' responses brought about by an unexpectedly early confrontation would be reduced by a foreperiod, or time interval inserted before the film. This made it possible for the subject to refocus his attention on the film content. Predicted reduction in skin cohductance responses and increased anticipation times for stressful film scenes were obtained for foreperiods of both a 7 min and a 1 1/2 min duration. An attempt to experimentally manipulate the amount of concentration on the film content during a 7 min foreperiod did not affect the preparation process.