Ch. 1 Natural Disasters Flashcards
What is stress?
- A pyschological/physical response in organisms to changes in evironment
What can trigger stress?
Real or perceived/poisitive or negative changes
Eustress
Good Stress
Distress
bad stress
Acute stress
intense, brief duration
Chronic Stress
low intensity, long duration
What is the limbic system?
A complex system of nerves and networks in the brain that controls the basic emotions and drives.
Why is the hypothalamus important in physiological response to stress?
The hypothalamaus regulates many ‘autonomic’ body functions (hunger, thirst, pain, etc.)
What does the sympathetic nervous system do?
mobilize the body’s nervous system fight-or-flight response
Parasympathetic Nervous System
regulation of internal organs and glands, which occurs unconsciously (tears, sexual arousal, digestive, etc.)
What role does the adrenal gland play in a stress response?
Releases stress hormones, increased heart rate, blood pressure, glucose levels, perspiration, lowered pain sensitivity, decrease clotting time
What are some of the more common strtess hormones released during a stress response?
cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine
How do basic body functions change during a stress response?
Amount of stress hormones released by adrenal glands
What is meant by fight, flight, or freeze?
Your body’s natural reaction to stress
Tend and befriend?
Your body’s natural response to help someone under stress
What is homeostasis?
self regulation of body functions (heart rate, temperature, respiration, etc.)
How is memory impacted differently by acute vs. chronic stress?
Acute stress is typically harder to forget
What is the difference between stress, psychological trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder?
Stress deals with a change in an organisms environment which can lead to psychological trauma. Pyschological trauma induces feelings of helplessness, horror, or intense fear and feelings overwhelmed ability to cope. Post-traumatic stress disorder deals with extended affects of psychological drama greater than one month
How do humans respond differently from single vs. repeated trauma?
Single even trauma is typically easier to overcome than repeated. Trauma can be cumulative
In general, how much time elapses before most people recover from psychological trauma?
Less than one month
What percentage of people suffering from psychological trauma will be affected by PTSD?
5% to 20%
What kind of events would be more likely to result in PTSD?
war, natural disasters, car or plane crashes, terrorist attacks
What types of behaviors are common in individuals suffering from PTSD?
Severe anxiety and depression, avoidance, substance abuse, isolationism
In what ways can individuals suffering from psychological trauma or PTSD recover?
Social interactions, grieving, returning to a routine, healthy living
What types of natural disasters are essentially geologic in nature?
earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides
Atmospheric disasters?
hurricanes and winter storms, tornadoes, heat wave
Hydrologic disasters?
flooding, tsunami
Extraterrestrial disasters?
asteroid and comet impacts
How might a natural disaster affect an individual?
Fatalities and injuries, economic loss, human displacement, influencing factors
What factors play a role in the degree to which individuals and society are affected by natural disasters?
location, population density, infrastructure and economic importance
Why would the design of infrastucture affect the severity of a natural disasters?
Builders must first think about how they want to design an infrastructure based on the area
How might prediction of a natural disaster minimize its impact?
People would be well aware of what is about to happen and they’d know what and what not to do in that situation
How might preparation for a natural disaster help minimize its impact?
When a natural disaster does occur, there would be less chaos
Why is insurance and disaster relief important for dealing with natural disasters?
Gives people peace of mind and knowing that they have something to fall back on during a crisis
What role can education play towards minimizing the impacts of natural disasters on individuals and society?
People will know what to do during a natural disaster and how to handle it.
