Methodological and Statistical Challenges in the Study of How Anxiety and Stress Impair Working Memory Performance
Year: 2018
Type: reference-entry
Abstract: This case study presents an overview of the major challenges and successes encountered assessing whether working memory performance was impaired in healthy individuals with high levels of anxiety when their cortisol levels increased after acute stress. The study presented used an experimental design and quantitative data analysis using a moderated mediation model. In the case study that follows, we describe anxiety disorders, stress and the resulting physiological responses, and how anxiety and stress can impair working memory performance. In addition, we reflect on the use of healthy college students in research that has clinical implications, how to design a study that uses an experiment stressor, and the potential pitfalls of salivary cortisol collection and analysis. We also discuss the changes we would implement if we were to conduct similar research in the future. This case study highlights the use of an experimental design and statistical modeling to answer interesting questions about human behavior.
Source: SAGE Publications Ltd eBooks
Authors: Anna Hood, Kim Pulvers
Institution: California State University, San Marcos
Language: English
Subfield: Behavioral Neuroscience
Field: Neuroscience
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2781919251