Chapter 12: Stress and Health

Question 1

What is stress?

Answer 1

response elicited when a situation overwhelms a person’s perceived ability to meet the demands of the situation.

Question 2

What is a stressor?

Answer 2

event that triggers stress response (stress as a response)

Question 3

What are two major categories of stressors?

Answer 3

major life events and daily hassles

Question 4

What is primary appraisal?

Answer 4

assessment of what a situation means to you. outcome determines whether an emotional response will occur.

Question 5

What is secondary appraisal?

Answer 5

self-assessment of the resources available to cope with stress
-If and how we can deal with stress after identifying the stressor

Question 6

Explain the role of the Autonomic Nervous System in stress response?

Answer 6

Autonomic Nervous System

-pumps blood to muscles and provides oxygen

Question 7

Explain the role of the endocrine system in stress response.

Answer 7

The Hypothalamus is activated

• Uses the adrenal-medullary system to activate the medulla to release norepinephrine
• Uses the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis to signal the pituitary gland to release cortisol

Question 8

What is the general adaptation syndrome?

Answer 8

generalized non-specific set of changes in the body that occur during extreme stress

Alarm (triggers stress response) ->
Resistance (adapt to prolonged stress) ->
Exhaust (Inability to continue adaptation)

Question 9

What is problem focused coping?

Answer 9

way of dealing with stress that aims to change the situation that is creating stress
-eg. to-do list

Question 10

What is emotion focused coping?

Answer 10

way of dealing with stress that aims to regulate the feelings of stress
-eg. talk to others

Question 11

What are some health-relevant behaviors?

Answer 11

Smoking - nicotine is a stimulant
Alcohol - liver damage or alcoholism
-Diet & Eating - obesity
-Exercise - Best
-Meditation - mindfulness

Question 12

What is the physical reactivity model of stress?

Answer 12

Event (possible Stressor) ->
Appraisal ->
Positive/Negative -> (If negative)
Negative Emotion ->
Stress ->
Sustained Stress leads to weakened immune function

Question 13

What is a type A personality associated with?

Answer 13

Correlated with heart disease
R ushed for time
 I mpatient
C ompetitive
H ostile