8.4.1 Flashcards
What is stress?
Stress is how our body reacts when we feel under pressure or threatened. It can be positive by motivating us but excessive stress can be overwhelming and harm our physical and mental health.
How did Sarafino (2006) define stress?
- The effect of the environment on an individual (e.g., major life events, disasters, poverty). 2. The bodily response to stressful events. 3. The interaction between a person and their environment, where individuals can choose how to respond using behavioral, cognitive, and emotional strategies.
What is the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)?
A model developed by Hans Selye (1936) describing the body’s response to prolonged stress in three stages: Alarm, Resistance, and Exhaustion.
What happens during the alarm stage of GAS?
The body prepares for a ‘fight or flight’ response. The amygdala alerts the hypothalamus, activating the sympathetic nervous system. The adrenal medulla releases epinephrine and norepinephrine, and the pituitary gland releases ACTH, stimulating cortisol production.
What is the function of cortisol in stress response?
Cortisol helps maintain energy levels by increasing blood sugar, suppressing the immune system, and aiding metabolism, but prolonged exposure weakens immune function.
What occurs during the resistance stage of GAS?
The body attempts to adapt to prolonged stress by keeping hormone levels elevated. The individual may outwardly appear to be coping but is more vulnerable to illnesses like ulcers and high blood pressure.
What happens in the exhaustion stage of GAS?
If stress continues long-term, the body’s resources become depleted, leading to immune system suppression and increased risk of illness.
Why is the fight-or-flight response considered outdated?
It evolved to protect against immediate physical threats but is now triggered by modern stressors like exams or financial worries, which cannot always be escaped.
What are the long-term health effects of chronic stress?
Chronic stress can lead to cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, weakened immune system, digestive issues, and mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.
What is a key strength of the GAS model?
It helps explain why chronic stress leads to illness by linking prolonged cortisol exposure to immune system suppression, aiding in early stress intervention.
What are the three stages of GAS?
- Alarm stage 2. Resistance stage 3. Exhaustion stage.
What role does the hypothalamus play in stress response?
The hypothalamus activates the sympathetic nervous system and signals the adrenal glands to release stress hormones, coordinating the fight-or-flight response.
What are examples of environmental stressors?
Major life events, environmental disasters, poverty, inadequate housing, and chronic stressors.
How does stress affect the immune system?
Chronic stress suppresses immune function, making individuals more susceptible to infections and illnesses.
What is the main hormone released during the fight-or-flight response?
Epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine.
How does the body maintain arousal during the resistance stage?
By keeping cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine levels elevated, resisting efforts to return to a normal state.
What does the term ‘apparent coping’ mean in the resistance stage?
Individuals may appear to cope with stress outwardly, but their body is still under strain and susceptible to illness.
What is one limitation of the GAS model?
It focuses primarily on physiological responses and does not account for individual psychological and emotional coping strategies.
Why do people experiencing chronic stress get sick more often?
Prolonged cortisol exposure weakens immune function, making the body less effective at fighting infections.
How can understanding the stress response help improve health?
By identifying stress early and implementing strategies (e.g., relaxation techniques, therapy, lifestyle changes) to mitigate its negative effects.
