Anger imagery and corrugator electromyography

Electromyography (EMG) of corrugator muscle activity has been positively related to negative affective states and psychopathology. Research exploring the relationship between corrugator EMG and personality traits is lacking. The relationship between corrugator EMG and state-trait anger was examined using affective imagery in 52 undergraduate females divided into high and low trait anger groups. Results indicated that the high group reported greater difficulty with imagery, but reported more anger during the angry imagery as compared to the low anger group. Covarying imagery ability, no group differences in corrugator EMG were apparent. The greater experience of subjective anger by the high anger group was not associated with greater corrugator EMG or better imagery ability.