The effect of motivational arousal through films on salivary immunoglobulin A

Abstract

One-hundred and thirty-two college students were exposed in small groups to two films which contrasted in the extent to which they aroused either power or affiliation motivation. In previous studies high power motivation, if it is inhibited, has been associated with lower levels of salivary immunoglobulin A (S-Ig A), and high affiliation motivation, if it is not inhibited, is associated with higher concentrations of S-Ig A. The film which aroused power motivation more was not followed by a decrease in S-Ig A concentrations as predicted, but the film was followed by a significant reduction in S-Ig A concentrations for those individuals with the inhibited power motive syndrome at baseline as compared to individuals characterized by other motive syndromes. The film which aroused affiliation motivation more was followed by an increase in S-Ig A concentrations immediately afterwards, and this increase was sustained an hour later when subjects continued to dwell on the loving relationships that characterized the film. Subjects characterized by the relaxed affiliative syndrome at baseline showed greater gains in S-Ig A in response to the film which aroused affiliative concerns. Although higher S-Ig A levels at baseline are associated with reports of less severe illness in the past among males, neither males nor females who showed consistent gains in S-Ig A after the affiliative film reported less severe illness in the past.