Effects of ovarian and stress hormones on learning processes

Learning is controlled by two interacting processes, cognitive and habitual learning. How these two systems are used while we learn in our everyday lives depends on an individual’s context. For example, stress is one contextual factor that consistently has created a shift toward habitual learning. In addition, there is evidence that ovarian hormones can also influence learning processes. However, research investigating these hormonal influences has resulted in inconsistent findings. While there is evidence that both of these contextual factors influence learning processes, there is little research on what effects result from their interaction. Further, while the menstrual cycle is often used to approximate ovarian hormone levels in such studies, it is conceptualized strictly as a biological phenomenon, despite evidence supporting its biopsychosocial characterization. Thus, the current study investigated the individual and interactive effects of chronic stress and ovarian hormones on learning processes, while using a biopsychosocial understanding of the menstrual cycle. Participants (N = 32) completed a probabilistic classification learning task. They also provided salivary measures of estradiol and progesterone, and completed measures of chronic stress and menstrual-related attitudes and beliefs. Results revealed a trending association between progesterone and learning processes. Further, there was an interaction between chronic stress and estradiol in predicting learning process use. Lastly, there were significant correlations between learning processes and various menstrual beliefs. As such, these preliminary results revealed how ovarian hormones and chronic stress interact to influence learning processes, and menstrual attitudes and beliefs can provide a more detailed understanding of these effects.