Ch 14 - Stress Flashcards
What are the two main types of stressors?
Acute stressor and chronic stressor
Acute stressors are short-term and arise from specific events, while chronic stressors persist over a longer duration.
What are four kinds of experiences that can lead to feeling stressed?
Conflict, frustration, pressure, and feeling endangered
These experiences can arise from various situations affecting an individual’s well-being.
Define conflict in the context of stress.
Emotional state in which a person has to make difficult decisions about two or more competing motives or behaviours
Conflicts can create significant stress due to competing desires.
What is approach-approach conflict?
A conflict where a person must choose between two desirable options
This type of conflict can lead to stress due to indecision.
What is avoidance-avoidance conflict?
A conflict where a person must choose between two undesirable options
This type of conflict often results in significant stress due to the negative outcomes of both choices.
What is approach-avoidance conflict?
A conflict where a person is attracted to and repelled by the same option
This internal conflict can create a high level of stress.
What is frustration in the context of stress?
Emotional state that results when a goal is blocked
Frustration can arise from personal, work, or family goals.
What is pressure in the context of stress?
Emotional state resulting from real or imagined expectations for certain behaviours or results
Pressure can originate from self-expectations or external sources.
Define stressor.
Situation or circumstance that triggers the stress response
Stressors can be acute or chronic, affecting an individual’s ability to cope.
What is a daily hassle?
Everyday annoyances that contribute to higher stress levels
Accumulation of daily hassles can lead to significant stress over time.
What are life changes?
Shifts in life circumstances that require some adjustment
Life changes can be both positive and negative.
What is the emotional response when feeling endangered?
Emotional state resulting when we are in a life-threatening situation
This state can trigger intense stress responses.
What are traumatic events?
Unexpected highly negative events that cause extreme disruptions
Traumatic events can lead to long-lasting stress effects.
What are chronic negative situations?
Negative situations that continue over long or indefinite periods of time
These situations can lead to enduring stress.
What are socio-cultural conditions in relation to stress?
Prejudice and discrimination experienced by ethnic minorities
These conditions can contribute to chronic stress.
Define coping.
When a person takes some action to manage, reduce, or tolerate stress
Coping strategies can vary in effectiveness.
What is problem-focused coping?
Doing something about the stressor/situation
This approach aims to directly address the source of stress.
What is emotion-focused coping?
Managing the feelings that accompany stress and trying to find ways to feel better
This approach focuses on emotional regulation rather than the stressor itself.
What factors can influence individual responses to stress?
Autonomic reactivity, explanatory styles, personality, social support
These factors can affect how a person experiences and copes with stress.
What are some ways to help reduce stress?
Laughter, meditation, exercise, time with social supports, cognitive reappraisal
These methods can enhance coping and reduce stress levels.
What are common negative emotional responses to stress?
Anxiety, fear, grief, annoyance, anger, guilt, disgust
These emotions can arise from various stressors.
What is cognitive appraisal?
The process of negotiating between environmental demands and our abilities
This involves assessing the severity of the stressor and one’s coping resources.
What are the two stages of cognitive appraisal?
1) Primary Appraisal: How severe is the stressor? 2) Secondary Appraisal: Do I have the resources to cope with this stressor?
These stages help determine the stress response.
What is Hans Seyle’s proposed response to chronic stress?
General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
This model describes the physiological response to stress over time.
