Booklet 1:Body's Response To Stress

Question 1

What does SAM stand for?

Answer 1

The symapthomedullarypathway.

Question 2

Summarise the 5 steps of the SAM system.

Answer 2

1. The brain appraises the situation as stressful.
2. The hypothalamus is alerted, the stress is identified as acute and the SAM is activated.
3. This activates the adrenal medulla.
4. Adrenaline and noradreline are released into the blood stream which causes the heart rate to increase, pupils to dilate and vital organs be prepared for action.
5. Adrenaline prepares the body for ‘fight or flight’ by increasing the supply of oxygen and glucose to the brain and muscles. Secondly it suppresses non-emergency bodily processes such as digestion.

Question 3

Where is the adrenal medulla located?

Answer 3

The adrenal medulla is part of the adrenal gland which is located just above the kidneys.

Question 4

What happens in the SAM system a few minutes after the stressor has been dealt with?

Answer 4

Because the body can not maintain the high increased level of activity, the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system is activated. This is a counter shock response and aims to return the body back to its normal resting state by reducing heart rate and blood pressure back to normal level and restoring function of other processes.

Question 5

What does HPA stand for?

Answer 5

The Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal System.

Question 6

When is the HPA system activated?

Answer 6

When the stressor is chronic.

Question 7

What are the 5 steps of the HPA system?

Answer 7

1. The brain appraises the situation as stressful.
2. The hypothalamus is alerted, identifies the stress as chronic and activates the HPA system.
3. The hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary gland to release the ACTH.
4. The release of ACTH into the bloodstream stimulates the adrenal cortex to release cortisol.
5. The production of cortisol leads to steady supply of blood sugar, giving the person increased energy to deal with the stressor.

Question 8

What are the effects of hormone release?

Answer 8

In the short term, cortisol is beneficial as it provides increased blood sugar to help the person deal with stressor. In the long term however, with chronic stress, negative effects from cortisol release can occur including impaired cognitive ability and reduced immune system functioning.

Question 9

What study is an A02 point for HPA?

Answer 9

Mason (1975)

Question 10

Explain Mason’s (1975) study.

Answer 10

The study showed that there are wide individual differences in the response to chronic stressors. This means different individuals produce varying levels of stress hormones when placed in the same situation, suggesting other factors will influence the effects of stress and some people are more naturally resilient to stressors.

Question 11

What piece of research evidence is there for SAM?

Answer 11

Taylor (2000)

Question 12

When is the SAM system activated?

Answer 12

This is the flight or fight response so it is activated when we are exposed to an acute stressor.

Question 13

Explain Taylor’s (2000) study.

Answer 13

Taylor found that when men were faced with an acute stressor the fight or flight reaction was common. Whereas women displayed a different response- ‘tend and befriend’ which consisted of women using interpersonal skills and cooperation to deal with stressors.

This effect is believed to occur because women produce more oxytocin (a chemical that promotes relaxation and nurturing) this suggests there are gender differences in the activation of SAM.

Question 14

Explain the general A02 point for SAM.

Answer 14

Evolutionary theories within psychology state all behaviour is motivated by two aims- survival and passing on genes. Therefore the gender difference that Taylor found is seen in many species. According to evolutionary theories women respond to stress by the ‘tend and befriend’ response which increases the chance of survival for their offspring.

Question 15

What is the ‘tend and befriend’ response?

Answer 15

Tend- women deal with stress by protecting and nurturing their young.

Befriend- Women seek social support and contact from other females.

Both of these responses increase chances of survival for the females and their young. If females took flight at first sight of danger this would reduce survival changes for the offspring.

Question 16

What is stress?

Answer 16

A physical and psychological response to any demands made on the body. Stress occurs when there is an imbalance between the requirements of a situation and the perceived abilities to cope. For example having a demanding job, and feeling unable to cope with those demands.

Question 17

What are stressors?

Answer 17

A source of stress- anything that causes stress for example in a job the stressor is the job and stress is how you feel because of the job. other examples would be finical troubles, school and family issues.

Question 18

What is fight or flight?

Answer 18

The humans natural instinct. Since time began when ever faced with stress humans have always made an instant decision whether to stay and deal with the stressor or run away. This decisions is made in less an a second.

Question 19

What is fight or flight a response too?

Answer 19

Acute stress.

Question 20

What is acute stress?

Answer 20

Immediate stress for example getting mugged, being faced with a fear, getting jumped out at or shocked.

Question 21

What is chronic stress?

Answer 21

Long term stress, for example finical problems, family issues and exams or school work.

Question 22

What are the two types of stress?

Answer 22

Acute and chronic.

Question 23

What are the two systems that control how the body responds to acute and chronic stress?

Answer 23

The SAM and The HPA systems.

Question 24

What is the SAM system?

Answer 24

This is the bodily system responding to acute, short term stressors. It is part of the autonomic nervous systems. The ANS contains the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.

Question 25

What is the sympathetic nervous system?

Answer 25

The ‘trouble shooter’ which responds quickly to stress.

Question 26

What is the parasympathetic nervous system?

Answer 26

The ‘house keeper’ which is responsible for maintaining emotional balance.

Question 27

What is the HPA system?

Answer 27

This is the bodily system responding to chronic long term stressors. It takes longer to initiate than the SAM system, and is comprised of the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland and the adrenal gland.

Question 28

What is the immune system designed to do?

Answer 28

To defend the body against millions of invading bacteria, viruses, toxins and parasites. When the immune system is working well, these agents cannot affect the body. However when the immune system is compromised, they may cause harm, which can lead to illness.

Question 29

Explain the SAM and HPA responses to stress, effect on the immune system.

Answer 29

They have been shown to have a direct effect on the immune system. This is because the body diverts resources and energy to cope with stressors, which means the amount of energy available to the immune system is reduced. The chemicals released when were are stressed for example for example, cortisol do not directly had the immune system however, if they are produced continually they can interfere wit the production of antibodies, which can lead to reduced immune system functioning and subsequent illness.

Question 30

Who carried out the research into stress related illness?

Answer 30

Kiecolt- Glaser et al (1984)

Question 31

What was the aim of the research into stress related illness carried out by Kiecolt-Glaser et all (1984)

Answer 31

The aim was to study the capability of the immune system in people facing stressful situations. The hypothesis was that the functioning of the immune system would be reduced when stress levels were high.

Question 32

What was Kiecolt-Glaser’s method?

Answer 32

The research method used was a natural experiment which uses naturally occurring variables. Blood samples were taken from 40 males and 26 females. All participants were first year student volunteers. The samples were taken one month before final exams and on the day of their first exams. The samples were analysed for natural killer cell activity. These cells in our immune system are involved in fighting off viruses. Questionnaires were also given assessing psychological factors.

Question 33

What were Kiecolt-Glaser’s findings?

Answer 33

As predicted, natural killer cell activity was greatly reduced from the first sample to the second sample. Immune system responses were weakest in those who had the highest scores for loneliness and stressful life events.

Question 34

What did Keicolt- Glaser conclude about his research into stress related illness?

Answer 34

The results suggest that short term predictable stressors such as exams lead to reduced immune functioning and increase the risk of illness. They also show exposure to long term stressors such as loneliness and life events such as bereavement, also reduce immune system functioning.

Question 35

Explain the positive evaluation point for Kielcolt- Glaser’s research into stress related illness.

Answer 35

It was a natural experiment so the variables were naturally occurring rather than artificially set up. This means there is high ecological validity as it is measuring the effects in a real life situation.

Question 36

Explain the negative evaluation point for Kiecolt-Glaser’s research into stress related illness.

Answer 36

We cannot prove cause and effect. This means we cannot be 100% certain that reduced immune system functioning was purely due to stressors measured.

Question 37

How did Segerstrom & Miller (2004) carry out further research into the immune system?

Answer 37

They conducted a meta-analysis of 293 studies conducted over the last 30 years. They summarised the results and came to some general conclusions. Short term acute stressors can boost the immune system, prompting it to ready itself to fight off possible threats to the body. Therefore short term bursts off manageable stress do not negatively affect long term health. However long term chronic stressors lead to suppression of the immune system, with the most chronic stressors having the most effect.

Question 38

What further research did Kiecolt-Glaser do

Answer 38

He did a study into the immune system functioning and chronic stress, by giving small wounds to female participant and measuring how long it took to heal. 2 groups of participants, one were acting as long term carers for elderly relatives with dementia and the other were a control group. The wounds took longer to heal in those dealing with chronic stress.

Question 39

What is the general A02 of stress and the immune system?

Answer 39

Its difficult to prove cause and effect. Research into stress and immune system functioning are of ten carried using natural experiments. Although this type of research shows strong links between stress and the immune system we cannot prove a cause and effect relationship. Other factors may affect the immune system such as lifestyle, mood and diet.