Effects of “Task-Related Stress” on Human Performance on a Two-Component Monitoring Task

Abstract

Male and female Ss performed a two-component monitoring task under 3 conditions of stress, No-stress, Task-related Stress, and Task-unrelated Stress. Dependent variables were reaction time, cumulative responses, and cumulative response errors. The results indicated faster reaction time under conditions of Task-related Stress than during the other two conditions. Differences in cumulative responses and cumulative response errors also occurred over monitoring periods, suggesting improved vigilance with practice. The results were interpreted as indicative of a “protective-adaptive” response to stress, during which S protects himself by adapting within his response repertoire to stressors.