Cortisol effects on perceptual priming: In the placebo group participants in the “traumatic” stories condition showed more perceptual priming for the neutral objects than participants in the neutral stories condition, indicating a strong perceptual priming effect for neutral stimuli presented in a “traumatic” context.

<p>In the cortisol group this effect was not present: Participants in the neutral stories and participants in the “traumatic” stories condition in the cortisol group showed comparable priming effects for the neutral objects.</p

Example of a neutral and a “traumatic” picture story including the presented priming objects.

<p>Example of a neutral and a “traumatic” picture story including the presented priming objects.</p

Sensitivity (d’) and response bias (c) in the recognition memory test in the four conditions.

<p>Sensitivity (d’) and response bias (c) in the recognition memory test in the four conditions.</p

Salivary Cortisol in nmol/l at pre- and posttreatment in the four conditions.

<p>Salivary Cortisol in nmol/l at pre- and posttreatment in the four conditions.</p