Chapter 12 - Stress Flashcards
1
Q
Stress
A
- Pattern of (negative) physical, behavioural, emotional, or cognitive responses to real or imagined stimuli
- (stress as a response approach)
2
Q
Stressor
A
- Stimulus that triggers the stress response
- (stressor as a stimulus approach)
3
Q
Kinds of stressors
A
- Acute: short term, defined end-point (almost hit by car)
- Chronic: long term, no defined end-point (unemployment)
- Daily hassles: “micro-stressors” (traffic, lines)—cumulative effect of these is better predictor of well-being and health that major life events
4
Q
Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS)
A
- Life changes (which are major stressors) are ranked
- Higher the score, higher the readjustment in behaviour and/or lifestyle
5
Q
Issues with SRRS
A
- Focuses more on negative events
- Does not differentiate chronic vs acute stressors
- Does not apply to all groups (some populations rank things differently)
6
Q
How different populations differ in SRRS rankings
A
- Young children find physical stressors most stressful
- Older children: social exclusion, bullying, homework, embarrassment, death of loved one
- University students: death (similar to other adults)l also use College Undergraduate Stress Scale
7
Q
Physical responses associated with stress
A
- Increased HR and Respiration
- Increased BP
- Changes in digestive functioning
- Sweating
- Tremors
8
Q
Two pathways re: Stress
A
- Sympathetic Nervous System activation (within seconds - releases epinephrine and norepinephrine )
- HPA-Axis: Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal (within minutes - releases cortisol)
9
Q
Sympathetic Nervous System Activation (stress pathway)
A
Stressor > Brain > Hypothalamus > SNS > Adrenal Medulla > Nor/epinephrine > Increased Energy
10
Q
HPS-Axis (stress pathway)
A
Stressor > Brain > Hypothalamus/Pituitary Gland/Adrenal Cortex (interaction) > Cortisol > Increased Energy
11
Q
“Fight or Flight”
A
- Walter Cannon
- Sympathetic Nervous System
- Help us deal with short term threats
