7a: Psychobiology of disease

Question 1

Describe the Transactional model of stress

Answer 1

1. Situation/event
2. Appraisal (primary)
3. Perceived threat
4. Secondary appraisal

Perception of INABILITY to cope with threat = Negative stress

Perception of ability to cope with threat = Positive stress

Stress can be defined as a pattern of cognitive appraisals, emotional reactions, physiological responses and behavioural tendencies that occur in response to a perceived imbalance between situational demands (primary appraisal) and the resources needed to cope with them (secondary appraisal).

Question 2

What is Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome

Answer 2

Stage 1 - Alarm reaction
Shift to sympathetic dominance causes increased arousal.
Slightly decreased resistance to stress

Stage 2 - Resistance
Endocrine system releases stress hormones to maintain increased arousal. Resistance to stress high

Stage 3 - Exhaustion
Adrenal glands lose function, resistance to stress drops dramatically