Trier social stress test

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

• Stress (biology)
• Cortisol
• Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
• 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.

The city of Trier, where the TSST was developed.