Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, Vol. 9, No. 3, 1984 The Physiological Effects of Cigarette Smoking: Implications for Psychophysiological Research Robert A. Moss 1 University of Mississippi David Hammer University of Miami Steve H. Sanders University of Utah Medical Center The present study was designed to determine the specific physiological ef- fects of two experimental conditions, smoking and mock smoking (puffing on an unlit cigarette), with smokers and nonsmokers. Two groups (smokers versus nonsmokers) with nine subjects each (five females, jour males) par- ticipated in the present study. Physiological measures included alveolar car- bon monoxide (CO") levels, skin resistance, heart rate, and finger tempera- ture across a standard session sequence. The results of the CO, assessment indicated increments only in the smoking condition. Multivariate analyses of variance (MANO VA) across skin conductance, heart rate, and hand temperature were initially performed, followed by univariate analyses of var- iance ( ANO VA) for each physiological measure. Post hoc analyses were per- formed using orthogonal polynomial trend analyses. A number of significant differences were found. Discussion focuses on the need for experimental con- trols related to cigarette smoking in psychophysiological research in gener- al, and in hand temperature biofeedback training in particular. Descriptor Key Words: cigarette smoking; psychophysiology; heart rate; hand temperature; skin conductance. 'Address all correspondence to Robert A. Moss, Department of Psychology, University of :VIississippi, University, Mississippi 38677. 299 0363-35H6l84/0900-0299$03.50/0 1984 Plenum Corporation