Effects of Three Kinds of Stressors on Human Learning and Performance

Abstract

In order to compare the effects of three stress producing operations on learning and performance, Ss were required to perform on a series of mental multiplication problems in four trials while they were either paced, shocked, distracted, or not subjected to any stressor conditions. It was found that pacing resulted in significantly fewer multiplication errors and significantly more rapid responding than the other conditions. There were no differences between the shock, distraction and control conditions in multiplication errors or performance time. The data suggest that some stressors have unique characteristics which may affect learning and performance, but that the particular effects of stressors probably vary with the task and the manner in which the stressor is presented.