Effects of differential relevance of external stimuli on heart rate under food deprivation

Ss were deprived of food for 24 h, after which heart rate (HR) was recorded with food placed before the Ss and also after they had eaten it. It was predicted, according to Malmo’s interaction hypothesis, that HR in both situations would be higher than at a control level but that the increase after food ingestion would be greater than that found in the presence of visual cues. The results did not wholly support these predictions. Only after eating were significant HR increases found. Possible reasons for the discrepancies between findings in this area were discussed.