4A Internal and external stressors that cause psychological stress responses

Question 1

Stressor

Answer 1

any event that causes stress or is perceived as a threat and a challenge to our ability to cope

Question 2

Stress

Answer 2

A state of mental, emotional or physiological tension resulting from a stressor

its a psychobiological process

Question 3

Stress symptoms

Answer 3

Biological
- increase heart rate and muscle tension

Psychological
- (feelings and thoughts), fear, anxiety or excitment and anticipation

Question 4

Internal stressor

Answer 4

originates inside the body
can be psychological and biological

Question 5

Examples of internal stressors

Answer 5

Psychological
- expectations
- feelings
- mindset

Biological
- pain
- illness
- sleep deprivation

Question 6

External stressor

Answer 6

stressors originating outside the body
can be environmental and sociocultural

Question 7

Example of external stressors

Answer 7

Environmental
- loud noises
- extreme temperatures

Sociocultural
- daily hassels
- life events
- loss of significant relationships
- catastrophes

Question 8

Acute stress

Answer 8

• stress response that occurs due to a sudden threat, lasts for short time
• can be beneficial and help us deal with challanges

Question 9

Examples of acute stress

Answer 9

• doing a performance
• bidding at an auction
• riding a roller coaster
• seeing a spider
• sitting an exam
• a car accident

Question 10

Chronic stress

Answer 10

• stress that last for a long time
• hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland to release ACTH (atrenocrotictopic hormone ACTH)
• generally more detrimental to our health as immune suppresion which then increases risk of heart attack and strokes

Question 11

Cortisol

Answer 11

• a hormone produced by the adrenal glands
• released in response to stress
• regulates a lot of bodily processes, including metabolism,

Question 12

Cortisol effects

Answer 12

• converts glucogen to glucose (more blood sugar)
• increase blood pressure, heart rate
• slower digestion, immune suppression

Question 13

Adrenal glands

Answer 13

small, triangular-shaped glands on top of both kidneys. They produce hormones that help regulate:

• metabolism
• immune system
• blood pressure
• response to stress

Question 14

Where is cortisol produced

Answer 14

in the adrenal cortex, which is the outer layer of each adrenal gland

Question 15

Where is cortisol released

Answer 15

directly into the bloodstream and transported throughout the body

Question 16

Cortisol benefits during chronic stress

Answer 16

• increased energy
• heightened alertness
• increased blood glucose for brain and body
• increased ability to repair tissue
• diversion of energy from non-essential functions

Question 17

How can high levels of cortisol in our bloodstream for long times be detrimental

Answer 17

• supresses the immune system, making us more susceptible to colds and contagious illnesses
• increases the risk of autoimmune diseases (cancer) and psychiatric conditions (anxiety)

Question 18

Flight-or-fight-or-freeze response

Answer 18

• An automatic biological response to a stressor that increases our chances of survival in our environment
• an acute stress response
• considered to be adaptive (minimises possible harm)
• it is activated by sympathetic nervous system

Question 19

Short definition of Flight, fight or freeze response

Answer 19

flight
- involves evading or escaping the stressor

fight
- involves dealing with the stressor directly

freeze
- involves the immobilisation of the body such as minimising movement or vocal sounds to avoid detection