What question did this study set out to answer?

This study investigates how active and passive coping strategies affect physiological responses to aversive stimuli.

Activation Patterns to Aversive Stimulation in Man: Passive Exposure Versus Effort to Control

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Randomized trial contrasts physiological responses to passive versus active coping with aversive stimuli, suggesting effort influences reactions.

This study investigates how active and passive coping strategies affect physiological responses to aversive stimuli.
29 healthy young men were exposed to unpredictable noise and electric shock under two conditions: passive exposure and active avoidance via keypresses.
Physiological metrics measured included mood reports, reaction times, muscle tension, and various hormonal and cardiovascular parameters.
Both coping conditions resulted in significant neuroendocrine, lipid, and cardiovascular changes from baseline.
Active coping led to greater increases in cardiac function correlated with muscle tension and task performance.

Lovallo et al. (1985) studied this question.

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Randomized trial contrasts physiological responses to passive versus active coping with aversive stimuli, suggesting effort influences reactions.