Chapter 11 Flashcards
Stress
Process by which we cope with environmental threats
Stressor
Everyday event which causes stress
Alarm
Sudden sympathetic nervous system activation
Resistance
Body copes with stress, gathers resources, and releases hormones
Exhaustion
Used up all resources, resistance to stress drops below normal
Catastrophe
Huge distress, something huge in an individual’s life
PTSD
Stress reaction after stress is done
Significant life change
Causes stress
Daily hassles
Minor, petty annoyances; best predict how stress affects our health
Negative events
Moer stressful because of emotional drain
Predictable events
Less stressful than surprises
Ambiguous events
More stressful than clear cut events
Choice of options with stress
Some decisions are more stressful than others
Approach/approach
Deciding between two desirable options
Avoidance/avoidance
Deciding between two negative options
Approach/avoidance
Choosing whether or not to do something (most stressful)
Type A personality
Easily aroused hostility and anger, sense of urgency, competitive, more likely to have a heart attack
Type B personality
Relaxed, easy going, laid back, friendly
Stress and cancer
Can slow recovery or speed up death
Stress and AIDS
Lowers immune system
Learned helplessness
Hopeless resignation learned when one is unable to avoid repeated aversive events
Internal locus of control
I have control of the situation
External locus of control
I have no control
Optimism
Helps to cope successfully with stress
Social Support
Can calm us down
How to reduce stress
Aerobic exercise, relax, spirituality
Happiness
Life satisfaction
What will not get happiness
Events, money
Adaptation-level principle
Happiness is relative to the most recent experiences (get used to having money)
Relative deprivation principle
Happiness is relative to what others have
Predictors of happiness
High self esteem, optimism, outgoing, agreeable, friends, good marriage, enjoy job, faith, sleep, etc
Not predictors of happiness
Age, gender, parenthood, attractiveness
