Science University Research Symposium (SURS)

Under Pressure: Investigating the Relationship Between Stress and Decision-Making

Publication Date

2026

College

College of Sciences & Mathematics

Department

Psychological Sciences and Neurosciences, Department of

SURS Faculty Advisor

Dr. Michael Oliver

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Abstract

The present study was conducted in order observe, and further understand the connection between high and low time pressure environments with stress and its physiological responses. Previous literature has displayed the idea that stress and pressure have a significant influence on how humans make decisions. Reale et al. (2023) found that decision-making that occurs during high-risk situations has many factors that influence performance and results. For example, time pressure, stress, and individual beliefs all factor into the decision that is made by a person. In addition, Yu (2015) also found that psychological pressure negatively impacts performance and affects the processes used in attention and motivation. The research on decision-making under stress has also shown that both situational factors and a participant’s life experiences have an influence on how people determine their response to risky choices (Mishra, 2014). Altogether, these findings indicate that stress and pressure affect the decisions made by an individual, but more research is needed to help understand how this occurs in specific situations. Our present study is needed to investigate the relationship between stress and decision-making to aid in determining how an increase in pressure would affect the choices and the mental performance of individuals.

This study will be conducted with in-person participants. Participants will be asked to complete a series of computer-based tasks via a Qualtrics survey that involves them to read a series of high- and low- pressure scenarios and answering the questions that follow in a provided time period. At the end of this task, they will additionally answer a mood check questionnaire. Participants will then be debriefed and receive proper  credit for their participation. Some possible risks or discomforts conducting our study may include exposure to media that can induce anxiety and physiological/psychological symptoms related to anxiety, as well as possible exposure to potential allergens in BIOPAC Electrode Gel.

We approach several hypotheses within our study. We first hypothesize that when the participants face high-stress decision-making while under a time constraint, then those participants will have highest level of anxiety, heart rate, and skin conductance recorded specifically during this condition. Additionally, we hypothesize that when the participants face low-stress decision-making while under a time constraint, they will have a moderate level of anxiety, heart rate, and skin conductance recorded. Our third hypotheses is that when our participants face high-stress decision-making while under no time constraint, then they will have moderate level of anxiety, heart rate, and skin conductance recorded. Lastly, we hypothesize that when participants face low-stress decision-making while under no time constraint, then they will have the lowest level of anxiety, heart rate, and skin conductance recorded.

Results and discussion will be completed upon finalized data collection and analyzation. This process currently continues...

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