Effectiveness in learning complex problem solving and salivary ion indices of psychological stress and activation.
Following Hinton et al. (1992, Biol. Psychol. 33, 63-71) and Richter et al. (1995, Biol. Psychol. 39, 131-142) ionic concentration of [K+] in unstimulated saliva was predicted to rise with perceived challenge, while lowered [Na+] was expected when experiencing psychological stress (PS). Subjects had to learn an engaging complex problem-solving 'game', via positive and negative feed-back on three 'games' lasting 2.5-3.0 h overall. Comparisons were made between three groups: (1) high success; (2) partial success ('strugglers'); and (3) total failure to learn. Saliva was sampled after resting and after each of three 'games'. Successful learners had a significant rise in [K+] on the first 'game' followed by a significant fall, consistent with task-challenge reaction followed by fast autonomic adaptation with successful learning. The 'strugglers' [Na+] fell significantly over the 'games', indicating mineralocorticoid-induced PS response of Na+ reabsorption. The 'total failure' subjects had generally significantly higher [K+] than the successful ones, showing raised tonic sympathetic relative to parasympathetic activity--this outcome being interpreted from interference theories. The 'failures' also had significantly higher tonic [Na+] on 'games'--indicating low PS as predicted from McGrath's (1976) theory.
Richter
P
P
Department of Work and Organizational Psychology, Technological University of Dresden, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Germany.
Hinton
J W
JW
Reinhold
S
S
D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008901:Mineralocorticoids / Q000502:physiology; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism*; D011340:Problem Solving / Q000502:physiology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*
D008901:Mineralocorticoids; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium