Objective: To test the behavioral validity of responses of psychological stress induced by estimation task. Methods: Fourteen college students were selected to complete the estimation task, which consists of 5 stages: baseline 1 stage (staring at the figures presented randomly), control stage (complete easy arithmetic topics without social-evaluative threat situation), stress stage (complete difficult arithmetic topics under social-evaluative threat situation), baseline 2 stage (staring at the figures presented randomly), and resting stage (no task), 10 mi-nutes each stage. Reaction time and accuracy under control and stress stage were recorded, and subjective stress was measured by subjective stress reports (on a scale of 1 to 5) and subjective anxiety reports (on a scale of 1 to 7). The salivary cortisol levels were measured as objective stress indicators. Results: Under control condition, the reaction time [ (938. 7 ± 156. 7) ms vs. (1916. 5 ± 166. 5) ms] was shorter and the accuracy rate [ (0. 98 ± 0. 02) vs. (0. 56 ±0. 05)] was higher than under stress condition (Ps <0. 001). Scores of subjective stress reports at the end of stress stage (30th minute) was higher than before (Oth minute) and after the baseline 1 stage (10th minute), end of control stage (20th minute) and baseline 2 (40th minute) and rest stage (50th minute) [(3. 3 ±0. 8) vs. (2. 6 ± 0.8), (2. 4 ±0.6), (2. 6 ±0.9), (2. 5 ±0. 8), (1. 4 ±0. 5), Ps <0. 01]. Scores of subjective anxiety reports at the end of stress stage (30th minute) was higher than the end of baseline 1 stage (10th minute), control stage (20th minute) , baseline 2 stage (40th minute) and rest stage (50th minute) [ (3. 8 ± 1. 5) vs. (2. 9 ± 1. 2), (2. 9 ± 1. 4), (2. 9 ± 1. 2), (1. 4 ±0. 5),Ps <0. 05]. Salivary cortisol levels before the baseline 1 stage (Oth minute) were lower than that at the end of rest stage (50th minute) [(24. 6 ±11. 5) vs. (40.3 ±28. 7), P<0. 05], and the levels after stress stage (30th minute) showed a significant upward trend. There were no significant correlation among the change of salivary cortisol and reaction time, accuracy rate, subjective stress and anxiety levels at the end of stress condition(30th minute) (r = - 0. 43 - 0. 36, Ps > 0. 05). Conclusion: It suggests that the estimation task could induce somatic and mental responses of psychological stress, and may be considered as a new paradigm of psychological stress.%目的:从行为学角度检验估算任务诱发心理应激反应的有效性.方法:选取14名大学生完成估算任务.共5个阶段:基线水平1(注视随机呈现的数字)、对照条件(无社会评价性威胁情境下完成简单算术作业)、应激条件(社会评价性威胁情境下完成困难算术作业)、基线水平2(注视随机呈现的数字)和休息阶段(无任务),各10 min.记录应激条件与对照条件下被试完成算术作业的反应时和正确率；用主观应激报告(5点量表)测查应激水平,用主观焦虑报告(7点量表)测查焦虑水平,从而反映主观应激；测查唾液皮质醇水平作为客观应激指标.结果:与应激条件相比,对照条件下的反应时较短[ (938.7±156.7) ms vs.(1916.5±166.5) ms,P＜0.001],正确率较高[(0.98±0.02) vs.(0.56±0.05),P＜0.001].应激条件结束后(第30分钟)的主观应激报告得分高于基线水平1开始前(第0分钟)、基线水平1结束后(第10分钟)、对照条件结束后(第20分钟)、基线水平2结束后(第40分钟)及休息阶段结束后(第50分钟)[(3.3±0.8)vs.(2.6±0.8),(2.4±0.6),(2.6±0.9),(2.5±0.8),(1.4 0.5),均P＜0.01].应激条件结束后(第30分钟)的主观焦虑报告得分高于基线水平1结束后(第10分钟)、对照条件结束后(第20分钟)、基线水平2结束后(第40分钟)和休息条件结束后(第50分钟)[(3.8±1.5)vs.(2.9±1.2),(2.9±1.4),(2.9±1.2),(1.4±0.5),均P＜0.05].基线水平1开始前(第0分钟)的唾液皮质醇水平低于休息条件结束后(第50分钟) [ (24.6±11.5) vs.(40.3±28.7),P＜0.05],应激条件结束后(第30分钟)唾液皮质醇水平呈现出明显的上升趋势.唾液皮质醇的变化与应激条件下的反应时、正确率、应激条件结束后(第30分钟)的主观应激、主观焦虑的相关性均无统计学意义(r=-0.43～0.36,均P＞0.05).结论:估算任务成功地诱发了被试的躯体及心理应激反应,可作为心理应激的新范式.
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