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Stress Flashcards

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1
Q

what is a stressor?

A

the term used to describe the stimulus (internal or external) that prompts the biological and psychological stress response

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2
Q

what is stress?

A

a psychological and physiological experience that occurs when an individual encounters something of significance that demands their attention and/ or efforts to cope

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3
Q

what are the categorisations of stressors?

A

internal and external

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4
Q

what is an internal stressor?

A

originates from within the individual psychological or biological processes eg: attitude, rumination, low self-esteem

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5
Q

what is an external stressor?

A

originates from outside of the individual, environmental stimuli eg: exams, arguments with others, work pressure

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6
Q

what is the psychological stress response?

A

relates to how we think or feel about a stressor and differs between different people, A highly unique experience that depends on many factors

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7
Q

what is eustress?

A

a positive psychological stress response that Involves emotions such as being happy, Usually occurs when the stressor provides a positive opportunity for growth/ challenge and us a Temporary response

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8
Q

what is distress?

A

a negative psychological stress response, a prolonged stress response

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9
Q

what is the physiological stress response?

A

relates to how the body reacts to a stressor, Comprised of acute stress response and the chronic stress response (cortisol)

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10
Q

what is the acute stress response?

A

characterised by intense psychological and physiological symptoms that are brief in duration

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11
Q

when does the acute stress response occur?

A

when the stressor presents an immediate threat to an organisms safety

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12
Q

what response is the acute stress response?

A

An involuntary and automatic response, adaptive response allowing an organism to survive in the face of a stressor

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13
Q

what is the chronic stress response?

A

a form of stress that endures for several months or longer

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14
Q

what stress hormone is released in the chronic stress response?

A

cortisol

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15
Q

what are the key features of the chronic stress response?

A
  • Does not demand an immediate response
  • Rather a long-term biological response that will energise the body over a period of weeks/months
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16
Q

what is cortisol?

A

a hormone that is released in times of stress to aid the body in initiating and maintaining heightened arousal

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17
Q

what is cortisol released by?

A

adrenal glands

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18
Q

what does cortisol do in the acute stress response?

A

cortisol helps to energise the body by inducing the release of glucose and a rise in blood sugar levels

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19
Q

what are some key features of cortisol?

A
  • Cortisol is released over a prolonged period and therefore takes longer to be secreted into the body
  • Increases blood sugar levels, improves metabolism, energises the body, reduces inflammation
  • High levels of cortisol long term can supress the immune system
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20
Q

what is the gut?

A

aka the gastrointestinal tract refers to the long flexible tube from mouth to anus that is the passageway involved in digestion

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21
Q

what is microbiota?

A

Refers to all of the microorganisms that live in the gut

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22
Q

what is the gut microbiome?

A

Refers to all of the genes of the microorganisms that live in the gut

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23
Q

what is gut microbiota dysbiosis?

A

When the gut microbiota is imbalanced (too much bad not enough good bacteria)

24
Q

what is gut microbiota symbiosis?

A

When the gut microbiota is balanced

25
Q

what is the gut brain axis?

A

refers to the bidirectional connection between the gut and the brain

26
Q

what ns does the gut brain axis include?

A

Through the enteric and central NS

27
Q

what is the enteric NS?

A

refers to the network of nerves in the gut and is a subdivision of the autonomic NS

28
Q

what is the vagus nerve?

A

the longest cranial nerve that connects the gut and the brain enabling them to communicate

29
Q

what is the vagus nerve responsible for?

A

bidirectionally conveying information between the gut and the brain

30
Q

what are germ free animal studies?

A

Animals that have had microorganisms from their gut microbiota removed compared to non germ-free animals

31
Q

what is the microbiota composition in humans research?

A

Research suggests that composition of the gut microbiota can influence the likelihood of experiencing ASD, depression, psychotic disorders and cognitive decline

32
Q

what are gut related diseases research?

A

Potential links between the presence of gut related diseases and their experience of anxiety, depression symptoms

33
Q

what is stress as a biological process?

A

Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS), Explains the physiological reactions that occur in the presence of stressors

34
Q

what are the stages of the GAS model

A
  1. alarm reaction (shock & countershock) 2. resistance 3. exhaustion
35
Q

what happens in the alarm reaction stage of GAS?

A

shock- Momentary decrease in bodily arousal, parasympathetic NS is dominant, ability to cope with the stressor decreases

36
Q

what happens in the resistance stage of GAS?

A

Increased cortisol levels contribute to the heightened physiological state

37
Q

what happens in the exhaustion stage of GAS?

A

depletion of energy levels and bodily resources resulting in an inability to cope with the stressor. Vulnerable to more serious psychological and physiological illnesses

38
Q

strengths of the GAS model?

A

-Recognises a predictable pattern of physiological responses
- provides objective empirical information

39
Q

weaknesses of the GAS model?

A

-Research was conducted on rats and therefore doesn’t account for the human element
-Ignores the importance of psychological factors

40
Q

what is stress as a psychological process?

A

Lazarus and folkmans model- that stress is a subjective ‘transaction’ between an incoming stressor and the personal and environmental factors specific to an individual

41
Q

what is the primary appraisal?

A

Evaluating the nature of the incoming stressor and deciding whether or not the incoming stimulus will actually cause them to experience stress

42
Q

what is a benign-positive appraisal?

A

Initial appraisal of a stimulus as neutral or good, that does not cause stress for the individual

43
Q

what is an irrelevant appraisal?

A

An initial appraisal of a stimulus as a non-issue for the individual, it is disregarded as it doesn’t affect the patient in any way

44
Q

what is a stressful appraisal?

A

An initial appraisal of a stimulus as a source of worry or emotional significance for the individual

45
Q

what are the substage ‘stressful’ appraisals?

A

harm/loss, threat and challenge

46
Q

what is a harm/loss appraisal?

A

further appraisal of the stressor as having caused some damage to the individual, meaning the individual has already experienced direct distress from the stressor

47
Q

what is a threat appraisal?

A

further appraisal of the stressor as potentially causing damage to the individual in the future, causing the individual to experience distress despite no direct distress from the stressor yet

48
Q

what is a challenge appraisal?

A

a further appraisal of the stressor as potentially providing a positive opportunity for growth or change for the individual

49
Q

what does the secondary appraisal entail?

A

individual evaluates their coping resources and decides what types of coping mechanisms and strategies to employ
- Further stress is created when the individual believes their coping mechanisms cannot meet the demands of the stressor

50
Q

what are the 2 types of coping strategies?

A

avoidance and approach

51
Q

what are the strengths of the L&F Model?

A

-Considers the cognitive processes within the stress response
-Human subjects were used when sourcing data to create the model
-Explains why the same stressor has different effects on individuals

52
Q

what are the limitations of the L&F Model?

A
  • Some argue that the stages of appraisal can occur simultaneously
  • Does not include the biological process
  • Cannot be easily tested by research
53
Q

what is coping?

A

refers to the process of dealing with stress

54
Q

what are approach strategies?

A

Coping strategies that directly confront the source of stress, thus reducing the source or eliminating it (practical)

55
Q

what are avoidance strategies?

A

Coping strategies that involve evading or distancing oneself from the source of stress, often deal with the more emotional components,

56
Q

what is context-specific effectiveness?

A

when the coping strategy used is appropriate for the unique demands of the stressor (relevant for the individual, stressor and situation)

57
Q

what is coping flexibility?

A

the ability to adjust or change ones coping strategies depending on the unique and changing demands of a stressor (to replace an ineffective strategy for an effective strategy)

Psychology (8 decks)

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