The more stress, the more accurate memory? The influence of stress on retrieval-enhanced suggestibility effect

After the occurrence of criminal events, eyewitnesses are often repeatedly interviewed about the crime, which makes them more vulnerable to memory distortion caused by misleading information. This phenomenon is known as the retrieval-enhanced suggestibility (RES) effect. It has been acknowledged that stressful experiences could affect an individual's memory processes. Less clear is the exact nature of these stress effects on RES effect. The current study explored the influence of stress, measured by the Trier Social Stress Test, on the RES effect, measured by the RES effect paradigm. Results showed that the incorrect rate of the stress group was lower than that of the no-stress group, indicating that the RES effect was weakened for the participants in the stressful state. The results of the study proved that participants in the stress group were less likely to be misled by misinformation, and provided evidence for the role of stress on memory processes.