Forward testing effect under acute psychosocial retrieval stress

The forward testing effect (FTE) refers to the finding that testing of previously studied information improves memory for subsequently studied newer information. Recent research showed that the FTE is immune to acute psychosocial encoding/retrieval stress, i.e., stress that is induced before initial encoding. The present study investigated whether the FTE is also robust to acute psychosocial retrieval stress, i.e., stress that is induced after encoding but before retrieval of the critical item list. Participants (N=128) studied three lists of words in anticipation of a final cumulative recall test. Participants were tested immediately on lists 1 and 2 (testing condition) or restudied lists 1 and 2 after initial study (restudy condition). After study of the critical list 3, psychosocial stress was induced in half of the participants (stress group), whereas no stress was induced in the other half (control group). The Trier-Social-Stress-Test-for-Groups (TSST-G) was used for stress induction. Salivary cortisol, alpha amylase, and subjective stress were repeatedly measured. The results of the criterion test showed a generally detrimental effect of psychosocial retrieval stress on list 3 recall. Importantly, the FTE was unaffected by stress. The findings are discussed with respect to current theories of the FTE. unknown unknown