Chapter 12 Flashcards
what is stress
the psychological response when an organism fails to respond to emotional or physical threats
what is the General Adaption System (GAS)
the three phase model of physiological changes as a response to long-term stress
what is phase 1 of the GAS model
the alarm reaction, when the stress occurs and the body releases stress hormones
what is phase two of the GAS mdoel
resistance, where the body adapts to the ongoing threat and tries to return to its normal functions, the longest and highest stress phase
what is phase 3 of the GAS model
exhaustion, when the body has run out of energy and immunity, which can eventually lead to organ failure, illness, and/or death
what is the HPA axis
a physiological response to stress involving the hypothalamus (H), pituitary (P), and the adrenal glands (A)
negative influences of prolonged stress
the HPA axis will remain active and adrenal glands will produce cortisol, which contributes to heart disease and the inability to fight off colds and infections
what is the most common way to manage stress
avoid, deny, and suppressing it
what is the most affective form of managing stress
opening up to someone
why is opening up to someone about stress best
allows us to gain info and support from others, give us a sense of control, and make sense of the situation
(easier to respond more positively to stress)
what is emotion regualtion
the ability to successfully control our emotions
why is emotion regulation important
prevents behaviors from getting out of control, important skill for success in life
three types of stress
personal, socioeconomic, sociopolitical
what is personal stress
stressors that have damaging impacts on ones physical and mental health
what is socioeconomic stress
the differential exposure to stressful experiences that can produce inequalities in physical and mental health
what is sociopolitical stress
stressors that carry over across generations widening health gaps between advantaged and disadvantaged group members
negative impacts of stress on health
disruption of almost all bodily processes, increasing the risk of mental and physical health problems
positive effects of stress on health
non-debilitative stress that could facilitate a persons sense of well-being, capacity, or performance
motivating stress
why can some stress be positive or negative
stress hinges on ones own perception (subjective) which depend son many factors
what is eustress
positive stress
what is dystress
negative or threatening stress
what is the Hardiness theoretical model
shows resilient stress response patterns in individuals and groups, separating those that stay healthy under stress from people who develop stress-related problems
what does stress as a response mean
means that stress is a physiological response pattern
concepts from the GAS model (and stress as a response)
stress is a defense mechanism
stress follows the three stages (alarm, resistance, exhaustion)
if stress is prolonged or severe it can result in diseases or even death
what is stress as a stimulus
sees stress as a significant life events or change that demands response, adjustment, or adaptation
what does stress as a stimulus assume (3)
- change is inherently stressful
- life events demand the same levels of adjustment across the population
- there is a common threshold of adjustment beyond which illness will result
downfall of stress as a stimulus theory
ignores important variables such as prior leaning, environment, support networks, personality, and life experiences
stress as a transaction theory
stress is a product of a transaction (interaction) between a person and their complex environment
pros of stress as a transcation
describes stress as a dynamic process outlining three types of stress and different stressors that can emerge
three types of stress according to stress as a transaction
acute, episodic, chronic
what can stress as a transaction also be known as
transactional theory of stress and coping (TTSC)
what is the model of stress appraisal
shows how an individual evaluates a stressor determines how they cope with or respond to the stressor
3 types of appraisal
primary, secondary, and reappraisal
what is primary appraisal
determining whether the stressor poses a threat
what is secondary appraisal
the individuals evaluation of the resources of coping strategies at their disposal for addressing any perceived threats
what is reappraisal
the continual reevaluating of both the nature of the stressor and the resources available for responding to the stressor
coping techniques
cognitive, physical, environmental
what is the internal locus of control
belief that achievements and outcomes are determined by a persons own decisions
what is the external locus of control
belief that achievements and outcomes are determined by luck, fate, or other people
difference between self-efficacy and self-confidence
self-confidence is a trait that is built over time whereas self-efficacy is ones belief in their capacity to do a specific task at a specific time
effect of social support coping
increases in positive affect which relates to fewer physical symptoms of stress
what is healthy psychology
study of trying to understand the role of psychology in maintaining health and preventing/treating illness
why are chronic diseases increasing
longer lives while using unhealthy behaviours
what is the biopsychosocial model of health
belief that biology, psychology, and social factors are just as important in the development of disease as biological causes
what is problem-focused coping
addressing the event that is causing the stress in an effort to solve the issue at hand
what is emotion-focused coping
regulates emotions that come with stress but not the problem directly
which coping style is better over long-term
problem-focused coping
when is emotion-focused coping helpful
over short-term and with uncontrollable events
what is biofeedback
a stress management technique where a person is shown bodily info that is normally unavailable and taught strategies to alter this signal
what are health behaviours
behaviors that improve or harm your health
why are health behaviours important in stress
because when stressed our immune system becomes compromised
difference between health behaviors and health habits
when health behaviors become firmly established as second nature they become health habits
what is positive psychology
psychology that focuses on measuring aspects of the human condition that lead to happiness, fulfillment, and flourishing
what are the three strengths in positive psychology
forgiveness, gratitude, and humility
why is forgiveness important
essential to harmonious long-term relationships, helps relationships heal, gives better interpersonal functioning (and social support)
result of forgiveness
less anxiety, depression, better health outcomes, increased coping with stress
what is gratitude
feeling of appreciation or thankfulness in response to receiving a benefit
why is gratitude important
helps us do and feel good, increase happiness, health, sleep quality, academic performance, etc.
what is humility
psychological and intellectual virtue or a character strength
why is humility important
gives one an accurate sense of ones abilities, achievements, imperfections
openness to new ideas, appreciation of the value of all things
