14.2 Stress and Illness Flashcards
Stress
a psychological and physiological reaction that occurs when perceived demands exceed existing resources to meet those demands
Appraisal
the cognitive act of assessing and evaluating the potential threat and demands of an event
Primary appraisal
Individual perceives a potential threat and asks, “is that a threat?”
Secondary appraisal
Determining how to cope with the threat
- adequate strategies = no stress
- inadequate strategies = stress
Individual zone of proximal functioning
a range of emotional intensity in which an individual is most likely to perform at their best (aka hype level)
Fight-or-flight response
a set of physiological changes that occur in response to psychological or physical threats
General adaptation syndrome
a theory of stress responses involving stages of alarm, resistance, and exhaustion
Adrenal medulla
releases epinephrine and norepinephrine (trigger bodily changes associated with fight-or-flight)
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
a neural and endocrine circuit that provides communication between the nervous system (hypothalamus) and the endocrine system (pituitary and adrenal gland)
Cortisol
a hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex that prepares the body to respond to stressful circumstances
Oxytocin
a hormone involved in reproduction, childbirth, and social bonding
Psychoneuroimmunology
the study of this relationship between immune system and nervous system funcitoning
Coronary heart disease
a condition in which plaques form in the blood vessels that supply the heart with blood and oxygen, resulting in restricted blood flow
Type A personality
describes people who tend to be impatient and worry about time, and are easily angered, competitive, and highly motivated
Type B personality
describes people who are more laid-back and characterized by a patient, easygoing, and relaxed disposition
