3.3.1 Characteristics Of Stress Flashcards
Why is stress not considered a mental illness?
It is a natural part of life
We all experience it when we find ourselves under pressure
Stress is the physical and psychological strain generated by what?
Physical, emotional, social, economic or occupational circumstances, events or experiences which are difficult to endure or manage
Are the circumstances that cause stress always negative?
No they can be positive e.g. Having a baby, getting married, holidays
(Physical) what did Hans Selye (1936) carry out?
Research on rats exposed to a range of stressors
(Physical) what did Hans Selye call these stressors?
Acute nocuous agents
(Physical) Hans Selye found what appeared in response to all the stressors and what did he call this?
The same physical symptoms
General adaptation syndrome (GAS)
(Physical) Hans Seyle - what does the GAS involves activation of the nervous system to do what?
Release hormones preparing us for the fight or flight response making us more able to deal with the stressor
(Psychological) our response to stress depends largely on what?
How we perceive the stressor
(Psychological) what model did Lazarus and Folkman come up with? (1984)
The transactional model of stress
(Psychological) What is the transactional model of stress?
Stressor - primary appraisal - secondary appraisal - stress response
(Psychological) what is a stressor in the transactional model?
The stress provoking event e.g. A Levels
(Psychological) what does primary appraisal in the transactional model involve?
How much of a threat the stressor is e.g A levels are important and a high threat
(Psychological) what is secondary appraisal in the transactional model?
How prepared you are to to deal with the stressor e.g. How much you have revised for your a levels
(Psychological) what are the two types of stress response in the transactional model of stress?
Emotion focused coping or problem focused coping
(Types of stress) what is acute stress?
Response to a stressor that suddenly appears
(Types of stress) give examples of some possible acute stressors:
Sudden work deadline
Car accident
Surprise test
Partner leaving you
(Types of stress) what is episodic acute stress?
Bursts of acute stress in different parts of your life
(Types of stress) give some examples of where episodic acute stress might arise?
At work
At home
Within the family
(Types of stress) is episodic acute stress constant?
No there are breaks
(Types of stress) what is chronic stress?
Long term stress
(Types of stress) give some examples of long term stressors:
Living in poverty
Ill health
Bad relationships
(Types of stress) which type of stress is most likely to cause ill health?
Chronic stress
(Types of stress) what is eustress?
The good type of stress
Opposite of distress
(Effects) what are some physical effects of stress?
Hair loss Acne Weight gain Premature grey hair Loss of appetite Diabetes Heart disease Colds Increased blood pressure
(Effects) what are some psychological effects of stress?
Lack of concentration Feeling tired Impaired memory Preoccupied though Difficulty making decisions Mood swings
(Effects) many physical and psychological effects are compounded by lifestyle effects such as what?
Diet change (overeating or not eating) Poor food choices Smoking Drinking Drugs Reduced sleep Reduced social life Lack of time for interests
