[Ch.4] Coping Processes Flashcards
Define coping
Refers to efforts to master, reduce, or tolerate the demands created by stress
[n/a] What are the different coping strategy categories (6)
- Problem-focused vs. Emotion-focused
- Engagement vs. Disengagement
- Meaning-focused
- Proactive
What is coping flexibility
The ability to use multiple coping strategies - it’s more adaptive to use a variety of strategies
Seligman (1974)
Developed a model of giving-up syndrome that sheds light on its causes.
Study - animals subjected to electric shocks they couldn’t escape, then given opportunity to learn a response that would allow them to escape, many didn’t even try to learn - lost hope, gave up
What is learned helplessness
Passive behaviour produced by exposure to unavoidable aversive events
What is catharsis
The release of emotional tension
Bushman (2001)
He found that playing violent videogames was associated with increased aggression, physiological arousal, aggressive thoughts, as well as decreased prosocial behaviours
What are defence mechanisms
Largely unconscious reactions that protect a person from unpleasant emotions such as anxiety and guilt
What are the five most frequently used defenses
Denial, Fantasy, Intellectualisation, Overcompensation, Undoing
Denial
Refusal to acknowledge the stressor/unpleasant realities of one’s life
Fantasy
Fulfilling wishes/impulses in one’s imagination
Intellectualisation
Dealing with difficulties by looking at them in a detached, abstract way - suppressing one’s emotions
Overcompensation
Making up for real or imagined deficiencies by focusing on or exaggerating desirable characteristics
Undoing
Attempting to counteract feelings of guilt through acts of atonement
Optical margin of illusion
Baumeister (1989) theorised that extreme self-deception is maladaptive, but small illusions may often be beneficial
Define constructive coping
Refers to efforts to deal with stressful events that are judged to be relatively healthful/beneficial
What are the three categories of constructive coping
Appraisal-focused, Problem-focused, Emotion-focused
Appraisal-focused coping strategies
Aimed at changing one’s interpretation of stressful events
- Detecting and disputing negative self-talk
- Rational thinking
- Using positive reinterpretation
- Finding humour in the situation
Problem-focused coping strategies
Aimed at altering the stressful situation itself
- Active problem-solving
- Seeking social support
- Enhancing time management
- Improving self-control
- Becoming more assertive
Emotion-focused coping strategies
Aimed at managing potential emotional distress caused by the stressful event
- Releasing pent-up emotions
- Distracting oneself
- Managing hostile feelings and forgiving others
- Exercising
- Meditating
- Using systematic relaxation procedures
Rational-emotive behaviour therapy
Focuses on altering clients’ patterns of irrational thinking to reduce maladaptive emotions and behaviours, changing irrational thoughts to rational ones
What is catastrophic thinking
Unrealistic appraisals of stress that exaggerate the magnitude of one’s problems
Ellis’s A-B-C model
A. Activating event
B. Belief system
C. Consequence
How does humour reduce the effects of stress and promote wellness
- Makes appraisal more positive
- Increases positive emotions
- Facilitates positive social interactions
Positive reinterpretation
Recognising that “things could be worse”
What are the three main types of problem-focused coping
- Systematic problem solving
- Seeking help
- Improving time management
Systematic problem solving (steps)
1) Clarify the problem
2) Generate alternative courses of action
3) Evaluate your alternatives and select a course of action
4) Take action while maintaining flexibility
Define emotional intelligence
The ability to perceive, express, and regulate emotions
Components of emotional intelligence
- Ability to perceive emotions in self and in others
- Awareness of how emotions shape thinking, decision-making
- Ability to understand and analyse one’s own emotions
- Ability to manage one’s own emotions
Define hostility
Occurs when people feel ‘wronged’ and the natural inclination to seek revenge or avoid further contact
Define forgiveness
Counteracting the natural tendencies to seek vengeance and releasing a person from further liability
Define meditation
A family of mental exercises which involves focusing or clearing your mind using a combination of mental and physical techniques
What are the four critical factors for the “relaxation response” to occur
- Quiet environment
- Mental device (or focal point)
- Passive attitude
- A comfortable position
