What effect can stress have on intelligence testing performance?

High stress levels can significantly impair cognitive function, which directly affects performance on intelligence tests. When individuals experience acute or chronic stress, their cognitive processes can be disrupted owing to various physiological and psychological factors. Stress can lead to attention deficits, reduced working memory capacity, and decreased problem-solving abilities. This impact occurs because stress hormones, such as cortisol, can affect brain regions critical for these cognitive functions, including the prefrontal cortex, which is essential for decision-making and reasoning.

In intelligence testing scenarios, the pressure to perform well can lead to anxiety, which further hinders concentration and can cause individuals to forget information or misinterpret questions. Thus, the relationship between stress and cognitive performance is well-established, with high stress levels being detrimental to the ability to respond accurately and efficiently on intelligence assessments.