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BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This interdisciplinary project, linking neurophysiology, neuroendocrinology and psychology, aims to explore biomarkers of stress among rescue personnel under emergency situations (catastrophe) and correlating the results of psychophysical features. We expect that an catastrophe produces significant changes in the concentration of biological indicators of stress that may be related to differences in the style of coping with stress. Our hypothesis is that the differences in the concentrations of biomarkers of stress depend on the temperament and ability to learn, assessed by appropriately selected psychological tests. Furthermore, the released hormones affect behavior and, therefore, performance. The expected results will explain and systematize knowledge about so far poorly explored correlation between the biological markers of stress and psychological parameters in selected professional group. METHODS: The harmful effect of the stressor interpreted as a threat to the individual can affect a variety of intellectual functions. According to Janis (1982) stress is the cause of disturbances in the evaluation and decision-making because it replaces creative ways of responding with rigid and stereotyped thinking (Zimbardo 1999). Activity of the endocrine system will be measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), while ability to learn, style of coping with stress and temperament would be measured using carefully selected questionnaires and psychological tests under psychologist supervision. RESULTS: In our preliminary research we found that stress associated with start of the practical driving course caused a rise in salivary cortisol that depended only on the time of sampling. CONCLUSIONS: The results may be important by contributing to the development of biological tests to assist in determining the effectiveness of performance under stress conditions. The approach is discussed in the context of current research in the world.