Hormonal Influences on Psychomotor Reminiscence

Psychomotor reminiscence was measured in contraceptively medicated and non-medicated subjects on Days 2, 8, and 14 of their menstrual cycles. As previously reported, mean reminiscence in non-medicated subjects was relatively low on Days 2 and 8, but significantly higher on Day 14. By contrast, reminiscence means in medicated subjects were relatively low and essentially alike across all testing days. These results are discussed within the context of reactive inhibition theory, wherein the adrenergic properties of mid-cycle concentrations of estrogenic hormones are thought responsible for more vigorous responding, hence more reactive inhibition and higher reminiscence. Such concentrations were, of course, precluded by contraceptive medication.