Differential Effects of Threat-Induced Stress on Tracking Performance

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Abstract
Tracking performance in position, rate, and acceleration control systems was studied experimentally under short-term psychological stress induced by electric shocks. 30 army conscripts were divided into 3 matched groups which trained 1, 3, and 13 hr. on the tracking tasks. It was hypothesized that performance decrements under stress would be greater for the more complex and less well learned tasks. The results showed significant tracking impairment of roughly the same order of magnitude for the three systems and learning levels, thus the hypotheses were rejected. Plots of heart rate against performance indicated a linear relation, which was interpreted as a partial confirmation of the activation theory. Adaptation to stress was rapid.

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