The Effects of Stress and Mindset on Long-term Memory

Indianapolis, IN

Studies have shown the detrimental effects of stress on cellular functions and long-term memory. In animal studies, long-term stress resulted in apoptosis of the hippocampus. Other studies reported increased blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate in response to stress, through the use of the Trier Social Stress Test. Studies have also highlighted failure of acting as a form of stress and how it played a role in the stress felt by the participants. However, only very few studies have investigated the effects of stress and implicit theories of intelligence on long-term memory. Therefore, this research study will investigate the relationship between stress, implicit theories of intelligence and long-term memory. Our research testing will be done in a statistics course and participants of this experiment will be asked to complete a mood rating questionnaire at the beginning of every class over three class periods. Subjects will also take an implicit theories of intelligence questionnaire. Midterm exam grades will be used as a form of long-term memory testing. Our hypothesis is that stress and entity theories of intelligence will negatively affect long-term memory. We anticipate the data to be ready to be presented at the conference.