#4 u3aos1 - stress responses (ch4a) Flashcards
stress
3 marks
a psychological + physiological/ biological response
to internal or external sources of tension
that challenge a person’s ability to cope
what type of process is stress
1 mark
psychobiological process
stressor
4 marks
a person
situation or
event that
produces stress
stressor
4 marks
a person
situation or
event that
produces stress
psychological
3 marks
mental processes
involved in the perception and interpretation
of stressors
biological/physiological
2 marks
physical responses
to stressors
example of psycological repsonses to stressor
3 marks
fear
anxiety
excitement
example of biological/physiological response to stressor
1 mark
increased heart rate
two types of stressors
2 marks
internal stressor
external stressor
internal stressor
2 marks
a cause of stress
that originates within the individual
internal, psychological stressor example
3 marks
anxiety
excitement
having high expectations
internal, physiological stressor example
4 marks
sleep depriviation
hunger
pain
illness
external stressor
2 marks
a cause of stress
that originates outside the individual
external, environmental stressor example
2 marks
extreme temperatures
loud noises
external, sociocultural stressor example
3 marks
life events
social stigma
cultural expectation
are stressors always a bad thing. explain
3 marks
no
it can also motivate or challenge you to
cope or do better
Acute stress
2 marks
Stress that occurs due to a
sudden
short-term stressor
characteristics of acute stress
4 marks
- stress response is severe/intense
- stress reponse lasts a short time
- response is beneficial as it can help us deal with stressor more effectively
- once stressor is dealt with, our body tends to make a quick recovery and returns to homeostasis.
chronic stress
2 marks
stress that occurs due to an
ongoing
long-term stressor
characteristics of chronic stress
3 marks
- stress response is less severe/intense
- stress reponse is longer lasting
- recovery can take longer due to the ongoing problems.
side effects of chronic stress
4 marks
- weakening of the immune system
- disruptions to the digestive + reproductive system
- increased risk or heart attack/ stroke
- increased vulnerability to mental health issues. (depression)
examples of acute stress
6 marks
- ACTUALLY sitting an exam
- giving a speech
- riding a roller coaster
- being attacked
- having an argument with your friend
- running late to a meeting
examples of chronic stress
6 marks
- all the study LEADING UP to the exam
- being bullied
- ongoing relationship issues
- living in a war zone
- long term physical illness
- high pressure work environment.
fight-or-flight-or-freeze response
5 marks
an involuntary/ unconscious reaction
to a sudden/immediate stressor
that prepares the body to either:
- confront the stressor (fight)
- run away (flight)
- be still or stay silent (freeze)
Why is the fight-or-flight-or-freeze reponse critical for survival?
2 marks
it provides an immediate response
to an emergency situation
is the fight-or-flight-or-freeze response acute or chronic?
1 mark
acute DUHHHH
which nervous systme is the fight–flight-freeze reposnse impacted by?
1 mark
sympathetic nervous system
fight-flight process
12 marks
- individual comes in contact with an acute stressor
- a signal is sent from the amygdala to the hypothalamus of the brain
- hypothalamus activated the sympathetic nervous system.
- sympathetic nervous system stimulates the adrenal medulla (located on top of the kidneys)
- adrenal medulla triggers the relase of stress hormones.
- adrenaline
- nonadrenaline
- released stress hormones circulate in the bloodstream
activating different organs to increase energy levels/ body’s levels of arousal - Increased arousal helps us either:
- directly face stressor (fight)
- escape the stressor (flight)
- physiological changes will occur as the sympathetic nervous system is dominant.
- once the stressor has passed, the paraympathetic nervous system will become dominant to return the body to homeostasis
what physiological/biological changes occur and why, when the sympathetic nervous system is dominant
6 marks
- heart rate increases:
quickly transport oxygen and glucose to the muscles - sweat glands increase production:
cool the body down - pupils dilate:
allows more light in to enhance vision.
freeze response
3 marks
when fleeing a situation or responding aggresively
are likely to be innefective
the invidiual may go into a freeze state.
what nervous system is dominant during the freeze response
parasympathetic nervous system
characteristics of freeze reponse
4 marks
- drop in heart rate
- low blood pressure
- stillness of muscles
- hypervigilance
hypervigilance
2 marks
a characteristic of the freeze response
when an individual is extremely alert of their surroundings.
why is this response considered adaptive?
3 marks
because it helps us:
- avoid detection
- conserve energy
- immediately shift into fight-or-flight mode
cortisol
3 marks
a stress hormone
that is released from the adrenal cortex
to deal with a chronic stressor
why is cortisol more effective compared to adrenaline and nonadrenaline
2 marks
- cortisol acts more slowly
- effects are more long lasting
when is cortisol released
1 mark
1 note
in the acute phase of stress
(study design focuses on its chronic use)
physiological effects of cortisol
6 marks
- stimulates liver to release glucose in the blood stream
- increases energy supplies for muscles
- heightens the brains altertness
- improves cell metabolism
- reduces inflammation in the body
- suppresses the immune system
why is the release of cortisol good for short term?
2 marks
it increases alertness
and prepares the body to deal with the stressor more effectively
disadvantages of the exposure of coritsol to chronic stress
4 marks
- strains/damages internal organs and tissues
- puts you at a greater risk for things like heart disease
- weakens the body’s immune system
- makes you more vulnerable to bacteria and viruses that cause diseases.
immune system
3 marks
the body’s defense
against infectious bacteria and viruses
that cause disease
how does cortisol supress the immune system
1 mark
lowering the number of white blood cells (WBC)
what happens when the prolonged release of cortisol suppresses the immune system?
2 marks
- the body’s ability to fight of diseases is weakened
- leaves indivduals more suspectible to illnesses caused by bacteria.
