Chapter 11: Health & Well-Being

Question 1

define health psychology

Answer 1

interrelations between thought/actions/behaviors & physical and mental health

Question 2

define well being

Answer 2

positive state of life & satisfaction

Question 3

describe the biopyschosocial model

Answer 3

health/illness result from psychological factors, biological characteristics, and social conditions

Question 4

describe the tightness vs looseness spectrum

Answer 4

tight country = value/ adhere to norms (health guidelines)
loose country = doesn’t value these as much

Question 5

Socioeconomic Status can affect what

Answer 5

health outcomes/ mortality

Question 6

how are ways healthy eating promote wellness and prevent illness

Answer 6

eat natural foods, lots of “plants”, and a diet light on protein

Question 7

define metabolic syndrome

Answer 7

caused by maladaptive eating and causes high blood sugar/ pressure, unhealthy cholesterol, insulin resistance

Question 8

what are 2 things that affect maladaptive eating

Answer 8

portion size & food availability (eating when given)

Question 9

3 effects of smoking

Answer 9

lung/ throat cancer, heart disease

Question 10

_______ can enhance memory/ cognition through the creation of _______

Answer 10

exercise, new neurons

Question 11

define stress

Answer 11

a response, typically unpleasant (ex anxiety)

Question 12

what are the three types of stress?

Answer 12

major life stress, chronic stress, & daily hassles

Question 13

describe major life stressors

Answer 13

can be chosen or not chosen, ex. having a baby

Question 14

describe chronic stress

Answer 14

ongoing challenges usually linked to chronic illness, poverty, caregiving, etc

Question 15

describe daily hassles

Answer 15

small, everyday annoyances or hassles (EX. boss was rude)

Question 16

Describe the 5 steps of the HPA Axis

Answer 16

1- stressor occurs
2- hypothalamus sends message to pituitary gland
3- pituitary gland sends hormone via bloodstream to reach adrenal glands
4- adrenals secrete cortisol to allow body to quicky respond
5- cortisol eventually reaches hypothalamus through bloodstream & turns off the axis like a negative feedback loop

Question 17

what is one effect of prolonged stress?

Answer 17

brain can become less sensitive to cortisol’s effects

Question 18

what is general adaptation syndrome & what are the three stages?

Answer 18

consistent pattern of stress responses, alarm stage (fight-or-flight), resistance stage (preps for sustained defense, boost immunity), and exhaustion stage (systems start to fail)

Question 19

Describe allostatic load

Answer 19

wear/tear of the bodies system after repeated stressful events (systems are less responsive)

Question 20

How does stress alter the immune system?

Answer 20

stress turns off immune system right away to save energy for fight-or-flight

Question 21

What are the 3 types of lymphocytes and their functions?

Answer 21

B cells- make antibodies
T cells- attack intruders/ assist
Natural killer cells- kill virus’ & tumors

Question 22

_____ stress boosts immune system, ______ stress weakens immune system.

Answer 22

Short-term, chronic

Question 23

Type A behavior pattern

Answer 23

can predict heart disease/ high bp & cholesterol. Traits are competitiveness, impatience, hostility, and aggression

Question 24

T/F: stress can clog blood vessels.

Answer 24

true, stress can cause decreased blood flow which can create a clog in one vessel

Question 25

Primary appraisal

Answer 25

deciding if the event is stressful

Question 26

secondary appraisal

Answer 26

evaluate responses and choose coping strategy

Question 27

Anticipatory coping

Answer 27

coping before the onset of a future stressor

Question 28

5 types of coping

Answer 28

emotion focused coping, problem focused coping, positive reappraisal, downward comparison, creation of positive events

Question 29

emotion focused coping

Answer 29

strategies to distract/ numb from pain (avoidance, distancing, drinking, overeating) short term, not a solution to problem

Question 30

problem focused coping

Answer 30

direct steps to solve problems (alternative solutions, pros/cons) for moderate stressors

Question 31

positive reappraisal

Answer 31

look for the good (silver-lining)

Question 32

downward comparison

Answer 32

thinking of those who have it worse

Question 33

creation of positive events

Answer 33

giving positive meaning to ordinary events

Question 34

hardiness traits

Answer 34

committed to daily activities, view stress as a challenge/ opportunity, & to feel in control

Question 35

T/F: positive attitudes, social support, relationships, and spirituality have no effect on physical/mental health or well-being.

Answer 35

False