The Forward Testing Effect Is Resistant to Acute Psychosocial Retrieval Stress
Bernhard Pastötter1, Bernadette von Dawans2, Gregor Domes2
1Department of Cognitive Psychology, University of Trier, Germany.
Experimental Psychology
|March 14, 2023
Summary
Testing previously learned information enhances memory for new information, known as the forward testing effect. This study confirms the forward testing effect remains strong even when stress occurs after learning new material.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Memory Research
Background:
- The forward testing effect demonstrates that retrieval practice enhances subsequent learning.
- Prior research indicates this effect is resilient to stress during initial learning (encoding).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if the forward testing effect is also robust to stress experienced after learning but before retrieval (retrieval stress).
Main Methods:
- 128 participants studied three word lists, with Lists 1 and 2 either tested or restudied.
- Psychosocial stress (Trier Social Stress Test for Groups) was induced after List 3 encoding, before final recall.
- Salivary cortisol, alpha amylase, and subjective stress levels were monitored.
Main Results:
- Psychosocial retrieval stress negatively impacted recall of List 3.
- The forward testing effect persisted, remaining unaffected by the induced retrieval stress.
Conclusions:
- The forward testing effect is robust to acute psychosocial stress occurring during the retrieval phase.
- These findings support the stability of retrieval-induced memory benefits under stress.
Keywords:
Trier Social Stress Test for Groups (TSST-G)acute psychosocial stresscortisolepisodic memorytesting effects
