Trier social stress test: Difference between revisions

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Trier Social Stress Test

The Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) is a widely used experimental procedure in psychology and neuroscience to induce stress in a controlled laboratory setting. It was developed by Clemens Kirschbaum and colleagues at the University of Trier in Germany. The TSST is designed to elicit a physiological stress response, including the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system.

Procedure

The TSST typically involves a combination of public speaking and mental arithmetic tasks performed in front of an audience. Participants are informed that they will be evaluated on their performance, which increases the stressfulness of the situation. The test usually consists of the following steps:

1. Preparation Period: Participants are given a brief period to prepare a speech on a given topic. 2. Speech Task: Participants deliver their speech in front of a panel of judges who maintain neutral expressions. 3. Mental Arithmetic Task: Participants are asked to perform a challenging arithmetic task, such as serial subtraction, under time pressure.

Throughout the TSST, physiological measures such as cortisol levels, heart rate, and blood pressure are often recorded to assess the stress response.

Applications

The TSST is used in research to study the effects of stress on various psychological and physiological processes. It has been employed in studies investigating the impact of stress on memory, emotion regulation, and immune function. The test is also used to examine individual differences in stress reactivity and the effectiveness of stress-reduction interventions.

Criticisms and Limitations

While the TSST is a valuable tool for stress research, it has some limitations. The artificial nature of the laboratory setting may not fully capture the complexity of real-world stressors. Additionally, the test may not be equally stressful for all participants, leading to variability in stress responses.

Related Pages

References

Kirschbaum, C., Pirke, K. M., & Hellhammer, D. H. (1993). The 'Trier Social Stress Test' – A tool for investigating psychobiological stress responses in a laboratory setting. Neuropsychobiology, 28(1-2), 76-81.
Dickerson, S. S., & Kemeny, M. E. (2004). Acute stressors and cortisol responses: A theoretical integration and synthesis of laboratory research. Psychological Bulletin, 130(3), 355-391.

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-'''Trier Social Stress Test''' (TSST) is a widely used psychological procedure designed to induce stress in a laboratory setting for the purpose of studying the effects of stress on various physiological, neuroendocrine, and psychological variables. Developed in the early 1990s by Clemens Kirschbaum and Dirk Hellhammer at the University of Trier in Germany, the TSST has become a standard method in stress research and has been validated in numerous studies across different populations.
+== Trier Social Stress Test ==
-==Overview==
+The '''Trier Social Stress Test''' (TSST) is a widely used experimental procedure in [[psychology]] and [[neuroscience]] to induce [[stress]] in a controlled laboratory setting. It was developed by Clemens Kirschbaum and colleagues at the University of Trier in Germany. The TSST is designed to elicit a physiological stress response, including the activation of the [[hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis]] and the [[sympathetic nervous system]].
-The Trier Social Stress Test involves a combination of tasks designed to elicit a robust stress response in participants. The procedure typically lasts for about 15 minutes and consists of a preparation phase, followed by a speech task, and a mental arithmetic task, both performed in front of an audience and a committee who are trained to maintain a neutral and non-supportive demeanor throughout the test. The aim is to create a socially evaluative threat situation that activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, leading to measurable changes in stress markers such as cortisol levels, heart rate, and blood pressure.
-==Procedure==
+== Procedure ==
-The TSST begins with a brief introduction, during which participants are informed about the tasks they will perform. Following the introduction, participants are given a preparation period, typically lasting for 5 minutes, to organize their thoughts and prepare for the speech task. The speech task usually involves speaking on a given topic or a personal experience for 5 minutes, followed by a mental arithmetic task, such as serially subtracting a two-digit number from a larger number as quickly and accurately as possible for another 5 minutes. The presence of an evaluative audience is crucial to the stress-inducing effect of the TSST.
-==Physiological and Psychological Responses==
+The TSST typically involves a combination of public speaking and mental arithmetic tasks performed in front of an audience. Participants are informed that they will be evaluated on their performance, which increases the stressfulness of the situation. The test usually consists of the following steps:
-The primary outcome measure of interest in TSST studies is the stress response, which is typically assessed through the measurement of cortisol levels in saliva. Cortisol is a hormone released by the adrenal glands in response to stress, and its levels can be reliably measured non-invasively through saliva samples. Other physiological measures that may be assessed include heart rate, blood pressure, and immune function markers. Psychological responses to the TSST can also be evaluated, including subjective stress levels, mood states, and cognitive performance.
-==Applications==
+. '''Preparation Period''': Participants are given a brief period to prepare a speech on a given topic.
-The Trier Social Stress Test has been applied in a wide range of research contexts, including studies on stress and memory, the impact of stress on immune function, the role of personality in stress reactivity, and the effects of interventions aimed at reducing stress responses. It has also been used to explore the mechanisms underlying stress-related disorders such as depression and anxiety.
+. '''Speech Task''': Participants deliver their speech in front of a panel of judges who maintain neutral expressions.
+. '''Mental Arithmetic Task''': Participants are asked to perform a challenging arithmetic task, such as serial subtraction, under time pressure.
-==Limitations==
+Throughout the TSST, physiological measures such as [[cortisol]] levels, heart rate, and blood pressure are often recorded to assess the stress response.
-While the TSST is a powerful tool for inducing stress in a controlled environment, it has some limitations. The artificial nature of the laboratory setting and the standardized procedure may not fully capture the complexity and variability of stress experiences in real life. Additionally, individual differences in stress reactivity and coping strategies can lead to variability in responses to the TSST.
+== Applications ==
+The TSST is used in research to study the effects of stress on various psychological and physiological processes. It has been employed in studies investigating the impact of stress on [[memory]], [[emotion regulation]], and [[immune function]]. The test is also used to examine individual differences in stress reactivity and the effectiveness of stress-reduction interventions.
+== Criticisms and Limitations ==
+While the TSST is a valuable tool for stress research, it has some limitations. The artificial nature of the laboratory setting may not fully capture the complexity of real-world stressors. Additionally, the test may not be equally stressful for all participants, leading to variability in stress responses.
+== Related Pages ==
-==See Also==
 * [[Stress (biology)]]
 * [[Cortisol]]
 * [[Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis]]
-* [[Psychological stress]]
+* [[Public speaking]]
+== References ==
+* Kirschbaum, C., Pirke, K. M., & Hellhammer, D. H. (1993). The 'Trier Social Stress Test' – A tool for investigating psychobiological stress responses in a laboratory setting. ''Neuropsychobiology'', 28(1-2), 76-81.
+* Dickerson, S. S., & Kemeny, M. E. (2004). Acute stressors and cortisol responses: A theoretical integration and synthesis of laboratory research. ''Psychological Bulletin'', 130(3), 355-391.
-[[Category:Psychological tests]]
+[[Category:Psychological stress]]
-[[Category:Stress]]
+[[Category:Psychological testing]]
-{{Psychology-stub}}
+[[File:Trier_01.jpg|thumb|The city of Trier, where the TSST was developed.]]