Psychomotor performance as a function of amount of training and stress.

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Abstract
Performance as a function of the amount of training and stress was studied on the assumption that stress, under the conditions of this study, affects the level of drive. Impairment of performance was predicted as a result of increases in drive where the dominant habit was incorrect and facilitation where it was correct. Also, it was predicted that the degree of impairment or facilitation under such conditions would be a positive function of the relative strength of the dominant habit. Of four groups of 27 subjects (Ss) each, 2 were given 25 training trials on a preliminary task, and 2 were given 50 trials. All groups were given 50 relearning trials in which 3 of the stimulus and response elements had to be re-paired while the remaining 2 were left unchanged. One group from each of the 2 training groups relearned under stress. Stress was found to increase significantly the number of errors to the changed S-R pairs, with this increase being more pronounced with increased training on these pairs. A tendency, though unreliable, was found for stress to decrease the number of errors to the 2 unchanged pairs. On the basis of these results, it was concluded that predictions regarding the effects on performance of variations on the drive level requires knowledge of the strengths of the specific habits involved and whether the dominant habit is correct or incorrect.

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