Chapter 10

Question 1

How is stress defined in the presentation?

Answer 1

Stress is defined as any circumstances that threaten or are believed to threaten an individual’s well-being and thereby their ability to cope.

Question 2

Is stress a biological or psychological response?

Answer 2

Stress can be both a biological and psychological response, depending on the context and how the stressor is perceived.

Question 3

What are the different domains where stress manifests?

Answer 3

1. Physical (e.g., headaches, fatigue)
2. Psychological (e.g., anxiety, depression)
3. Social (e.g., withdrawal, strained relationships).

Question 4

Name some types of stress discussed in the presentation.

Answer 4

1. Major life events (e.g., death of a spouse, divorce)
2. Daily hassles (e.g., minor irritations that accumulate)
3. Positive stressors (e.g., marriage, vacations)

Question 5

What is the Yerkes-Dodson Law?

Answer 5

The Yerkes-Dodson Law hypothesizes a relationship between arousal and performance, suggesting that moderate stress can enhance productivity, while too little or too much stress decreases it.

Question 6

What are the three stages of the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)?

Answer 6

Alarm Stage: Initial fight-or-flight response involving the nervous system.
Resistance Stage: The body adapts to ongoing stress, depleting resources.
Exhaustion Stage: The body’s resources are exhausted, leading to potential long-term damage like immune suppression and chronic diseases.

Question 7

List some diseases linked to chronic stress.

Answer 7

Cardiovascular diseases (e.g., hypertension, stroke)
Gastrointestinal issues (e.g., ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome)
Psychological disorders (e.g., depression, insomnia).

Question 8

How does stress affect the immune system?

Answer 8

Chronic stress suppresses the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections and slower to recover from illnesses.

Question 9

Is stress always harmful?

Answer 9

No, according to the Yerkes-Dodson law, moderate and controllable stress can enhance performance and motivation.

Question 10

Does the absence of symptoms mean the absence of stress?

Answer 10

No, symptoms of stress can be masked by medications or overlooked, but stress might still be present.

Question 11

Why is it important to have multiple stress management techniques?

Answer 11

Different situations may render certain techniques ineffective. Having a range of strategies ensures flexibility and adaptability, helping individuals cope under varying circumstances.

Question 12

Can you avoid stress entirely?

Answer 12

No, but stress can be managed or minimized through lifestyle modifications and coping strategies, especially in high-stress professions like healthcare.

Question 13

What is stress?

Answer 13

Stress is any circumstance that threatens or is believed to threaten an individual’s well-being, thereby challenging their ability to cope.

Question 14

What are common sources of stress?

Answer 14

Sources include major life events (e.g., death, divorce), daily hassles, and positive stressors (e.g., marriage, vacations).

Question 15

What are the three main perspectives on stress?

Answer 15

1. Stress as a response (physical and psychological reactions).
2. Stress as a stimulus (external events causing stress).
3. Stress as a process (transaction between individual and environment).

Question 16

What are the physical signs of stress?

Answer 16

Headaches, fatigue, muscle tension, and gastrointestinal issues.

Question 17

What are the psychological signs of stress?

Answer 17

Anxiety, depression, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

Question 18

What are the social impacts of stress?

Answer 18

Withdrawal from relationships and difficulty maintaining connections.

Question 19

What are the two main types of coping strategies?

Answer 19

1. Problem-focused coping: Strategies aimed at solving the problem or altering the stressor.
2. Emotion-focused coping: Strategies to manage emotional responses to stress.

Question 20

Provide examples of problem-focused coping strategies.

Answer 20

Time management, seeking help, and prioritizing tasks.

Question 21

How can altering thoughts reduce stress?

Answer 21

Reframing irrational thoughts into rational beliefs can reduce emotional distress (as seen in Ellis’s Rational Emotive Therapy).

Question 22

Why is social support important in coping?

Answer 22

It enhances immune function, decreases psychological distress, and reduces the risk of stress-related illnesses.

Question 23

What are the two hypotheses about social support?

Answer 23

1. Buffering hypothesis: Social support protects against stress during high-stress periods.
2. Direct effects hypothesis: Social support continuously fosters well-being, reducing stress overall.

Question 24

What are the effects of loneliness on stress?

Answer 24

Loneliness increases autonomic arousal, slows emotional recovery, and can worsen health outcomes.

Question 25

What are the four key elements of best (optimal) relaxation?

Answer 25

1. Quiet environment: Minimal distractions.
2. Mental device: Focus on a word or image.
3. Passive attitude: Acceptance without frustration if distractions occur.
4. Comfortable position: Avoiding discomfort or excessive relaxation leading to sleep.

Question 26

How can writing or talking about emotions help with stress?

Answer 26

Studies (e.g., Pennebaker et al.) show that expressing emotions can improve health outcomes and reduce stress.

Question 27

Why is it important to have diverse coping strategies?

Answer 27

Different stressors require different approaches. Relying on a single method may become ineffective in changing circumstances.

Question 28

What personality traits are linked to stress responses?

Answer 28

1. Type A personality: Aggressive, competitive, time-pressured individuals, linked to higher stress and CHD risk.
2. Optimistic individuals: Tend to be more productive, resilient, and healthier.
3. Pessimists: Focus on negatives, leading to increased stress and poorer health.

Question 29

How might culture influence coping mechanisms?

Answer 29

Cultural norms shape how people express and cope with stress. For instance, open mourning at funerals may be accepted in some cultures and stigmatized in others.

Question 30

In the case of Zia (a stressed paramedic), how could problem-focused coping be applied?

Answer 30

Zia could use time management, delegate tasks (e.g., getting help with moving or childcare), and seek advice on becoming a new father.

Question 31

Is stress always harmful?

Answer 31

No, moderate stress can enhance performance, motivation, and productivity (as per the Yerkes-Dodson Law).

Question 32

Does the absence of symptoms mean the absence of stress?

Answer 32

No, stress can exist without obvious symptoms and might be masked or unnoticed.

Question 33

Are popular stress management techniques the best?

Answer 33

Not always. Effective coping strategies vary by individual and situation.