A Cross-Course Experiment with a Word Recall Task and Salivary Cortisol Measurements

We describe the experimental design and procedures for a word recall task in combination with positive (i.e. pleasant) or negative (i.e. unpleasant) valance images and salivary cortisol response. The word recall task was a component of a 200-level psychological statistics and methods course. Two groups of student subjects were presented with one of two sets of 25 word-image pairs: identical words with images of positive or negative emotional valence. Salivary cortisol was collected prior to word-image pair presentation and following word recall. Cortisol was then analyzed in a 400-level advanced behavioral neuroscience laboratory course, and by student researchers (independent studies). These students learned the basic procedures of an enzyme immunoassay including aspects of quality control. Data collected across four semesters demonstrated word recall was significantly greater in subjects who viewed the positive valence word-image pairs. Salivary cortisol was not different between the groups. This paradigm generated a novel shared data set across classes appropriate for exploration and statistical analysis in each class. Conceptually, this approach provided a gateway for the discussion of the neuroendocrinology of cortisol and memory. It produced greater student investment in the experiment and outcome. Assessment data revealed significantly improved performance on a pre- versus post-quiz of central concepts in the 200-level course and to a lesser degree in the 400-level course. This approach resulted in a greater breadth and depth of topics that otherwise could not be accomplished within a single class. Here, we present guidelines for executing this experiment in the classroom with possibilities for novel variations.