A study on memory and decision-making<br />M.M Amal Mohamed Jaber / Lecturer in the Department of Educational and Psychological Sciences<br /><br />Introduction .<br /><br />Stress is an integral part of daily life, as individuals are exposed to different situations that elicit various psychological and physiological responses. Stress directly affects cognitive processes, including memory and decision-making, which has prompted researchers to study this relationship to understand how psychological factors affect mental performance. This article aims to review the effect of stress on memory and decision-making, focusing on the neural and psychological mechanisms that explain this effect.<br /><br />Stress and its effect on memory:<br />Memory is one of the basic cognitive processes affected by stress. The effect of stress on memory can be classified into several aspects:<br /><br />1. Effect on short-term memory:<br />Studies indicate that acute stress may impair short-term memory by increasing the secretion of stress hormones, such as cortisol, which leads to confusion in information processing and difficulty in retrieving it.<br /><br />2. Effect on long-term memory:<br />Chronic stress can impair the formation of long-term memories, especially in the hippocampus, which is responsible for storing and retrieving memories. This can lead to learning difficulties and poor academic and professional performance.<br /><br />Stress and distorted memories:<br />Stress affects the accuracy of memories, as it may cause distortion in remembering events due to focusing on the emotional aspects of the situation rather than the precise details. This may lead to building inaccurate or distorted memories.<br /><br />Stress and decision-making:<br /><br />Decision-making is a complex cognitive process that is affected by stress to varying degrees. The effect of stress on decision-making can be summarized in the following points:<br /><br />1. Rushing to make decisions:<br />Under stress, individuals tend to make quick decisions without thinking deeply about the available alternatives. This is due to the desire to reduce the stress caused by the situation, which may lead to ill-considered decisions.<br /><br />2. Relying on intuition instead of logical analysis:<br />When a person is under high stress, he may rely more on intuition and previous experiences rather than systematic analysis, which may affect the accuracy of the decision.<br /><br />3. Narrowing the scope of attention:<br />Stress causes a person to focus on some available information and neglect other aspects that may be necessary to make a balanced decision. This effect is known as “cognitive narrowing,” which can make it difficult for an individual to see the full picture of a situation.<br /><br />Neuromechanisms of the Effect of Stress on Cognitive Processes:<br />Research suggests that the cognitive effects of stress are due to the interaction between the nervous and endocrine systems. When exposed to stress, the sympathetic nervous system is activated, leading to the release of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones affect areas of the brain responsible for memory and decision-making, such as the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex.<br /><br />Strategies to Reduce the Effect of Stress:<br /><br />Individuals can improve their cognitive performance under stress by adopting some strategies such as:<br /><br />• Relaxation techniques such as meditation and deep breathing to reduce stress.<br />• Time management to avoid accumulation that causes additional stress.<br />• Cognitive flexibility training by thinking about different scenarios before making a decision.<br />• Physical exercises that help reduce stress levels and enhance mental performance.<br /><br />Conclusion<br /><br />Stress significantly affects cognitive processes, especially memory and decision-making, through multiple neurological and psychological mechanisms. Stress may lead to poor information retrieval and hasty or inaccurate decisions. However, these effects can be reduced through stress management strategies and critical thinking skills training. Therefore, it is important to enhance awareness of this relationship to understand how to cope with stress and improve mental performance in different situations.