3.3.1 Characteristics Of Stress

Question 1

Why is stress not considered a mental illness?

Answer 1

It is a natural part of life

We all experience it when we find ourselves under pressure

Question 2

Stress is the physical and psychological strain generated by what?

Answer 2

Physical, emotional, social, economic or occupational circumstances, events or experiences which are difficult to endure or manage

Question 3

Are the circumstances that cause stress always negative?

Answer 3

No they can be positive e.g. Having a baby, getting married, holidays

Question 4

(Physical) what did Hans Selye (1936) carry out?

Answer 4

Research on rats exposed to a range of stressors

Question 5

(Physical) what did Hans Selye call these stressors?

Answer 5

Acute nocuous agents

Question 6

(Physical) Hans Selye found what appeared in response to all the stressors and what did he call this?

Answer 6

The same physical symptoms

General adaptation syndrome (GAS)

Question 7

(Physical) Hans Seyle - what does the GAS involves activation of the nervous system to do what?

Answer 7

Release hormones preparing us for the fight or flight response making us more able to deal with the stressor

Question 8

(Psychological) our response to stress depends largely on what?

Answer 8

How we perceive the stressor

Question 9

(Psychological) what model did Lazarus and Folkman come up with? (1984)

Answer 9

The transactional model of stress

Question 10

(Psychological) What is the transactional model of stress?

Answer 10

Stressor - primary appraisal - secondary appraisal - stress response

Question 11

(Psychological) what is a stressor in the transactional model?

Answer 11

The stress provoking event e.g. A Levels

Question 12

(Psychological) what does primary appraisal in the transactional model involve?

Answer 12

How much of a threat the stressor is e.g A levels are important and a high threat

Question 13

(Psychological) what is secondary appraisal in the transactional model?

Answer 13

How prepared you are to to deal with the stressor e.g. How much you have revised for your a levels

Question 14

(Psychological) what are the two types of stress response in the transactional model of stress?

Answer 14

Emotion focused coping or problem focused coping

Question 15

(Types of stress) what is acute stress?

Answer 15

Response to a stressor that suddenly appears

Question 16

(Types of stress) give examples of some possible acute stressors:

Answer 16

Sudden work deadline
Car accident
Surprise test
Partner leaving you

Question 17

(Types of stress) what is episodic acute stress?

Answer 17

Bursts of acute stress in different parts of your life

Question 18

(Types of stress) give some examples of where episodic acute stress might arise?

Answer 18

At work
At home
Within the family

Question 19

(Types of stress) is episodic acute stress constant?

Answer 19

No there are breaks

Question 20

(Types of stress) what is chronic stress?

Answer 20

Long term stress

Question 21

(Types of stress) give some examples of long term stressors:

Answer 21

Living in poverty
Ill health
Bad relationships

Question 22

(Types of stress) which type of stress is most likely to cause ill health?

Answer 22

Chronic stress

Question 23

(Types of stress) what is eustress?

Answer 23

The good type of stress

Opposite of distress

Question 24

(Effects) what are some physical effects of stress?

Answer 24

Hair loss 
Acne 
Weight gain
Premature grey hair
Loss of appetite
Diabetes 
Heart disease
Colds
Increased blood pressure

Question 25

(Effects) what are some psychological effects of stress?

Answer 25

Lack of concentration
Feeling tired
Impaired memory
Preoccupied though
Difficulty making decisions 
Mood swings

Question 26

(Effects) many physical and psychological effects are compounded by lifestyle effects such as what?

Answer 26

Diet change (overeating or not eating)
Poor food choices 
Smoking
Drinking 
Drugs 
Reduced sleep
Reduced social life
Lack of time for interests