Chapter 13 - Stress and Health

Question 1

What is stress?

Answer 1

dynamic state brought on by a situation that threatens or appears to threaten ones well being and ability to cope

Question 2

Primary Appraisal (Cognitive-Mediational Theory, Lazarus)

Answer 2

we asses the situation and determine its severity and implications for us
ex. i have an exam next week worth 20%. i have to do well so i can major in psych

Question 3

Secondary Appraisal (Cognitive-Mediational Theory, Lazarus)

Answer 3

we consider our ability to cope with the event (evaluate the resources we have)
ex. thats ok, ive been reviewing and did well on the first exam and i still have another week to review

Question 4

Cognitive-Mediational Theory (Lazarus)

Answer 4

perceptions of control greatly impacts appraisal and experience; perception must be realistic

Question 5

Eustress

Answer 5

stress from positive stressors

Question 6

Distress

Answer 6

stress from unpleasant stressors

Question 7

Stress Inoculation

Answer 7

promotes resiliency to stresses of life; post traumatic growth

Question 8

Two main biological pathways activated during stress

Answer 8

Sympathetic Nervous System and Hypothalamic-Pituitary Adrenal axis (HPA axis, endocrine system)

Question 9

Stress pathway through SNS

Answer 9

activates adrenal medulla > releases norepinephrine and epinephrine > rise in heart rate, BP, respiration, muscle tension energy; decrease in digestion, blood vessel construction

Question 10

Stress pathway through HPA axis

Answer 10

hypothalamus stimulates pituitary gland to release ACTH > stimulates adrenal cortex > releases cortisol > increases blood sugar, metabolism, energy

Question 11

Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome

Answer 11

1. Alarm: body’s reaction to initial exposure to stressor as resources are mobilized (flight/fight/freeze)
2. Resistance Body’s attempt to stabilize of stressor continues
3. Exhaustion: organism is depleted of energy and can no longer offer resistance; results in death

Question 12

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) releases when…

Answer 12

stressors activate the hypothalamus which stimulates the pituitary gland and releases it into the blood stream

Question 13

_____ stimulates the adrenal glands to release ____

Answer 13

ACTH; cortisol

Question 14

Stressors

Answer 14

anything that triggers a stress response; can be acute or chronic

Question 15

Immune System

Answer 15

defense system from viruses. bacteria, and abnormal cell growth

Question 16

Antigens

Answer 16

foreign substances causing antibodies to be produced

Question 17

Antibodies

Answer 17

large proteins that bind to antigens to better identify threats

Question 18

Immune system cells

Answer 18

killer cells and cytotoxic T cells; bind to and destroy foreign substances identified by antibodies

Question 19

Immunosuppression

Answer 19

decreased effectiveness of the immune system making a person susceptible to infection/disease/illness

Question 20

psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)

Answer 20

studies the links between stress, the immune system, and health

Question 21

____ response can inhibit ____ production

Answer 21

HPA; lmphocyte
note. Bartrop demonstrated suppression of lymphocyte activity in recently widowed women

Question 22

Type A personality

Answer 22

always tense/stressed, little patience, time pressured, aggressive, uptight
sometimes know as Coronary Prone Personality

Question 23

Type B personality

Answer 23

patient, no sense of urgency, laid back

Question 24

Asthma

Answer 24

chronic disease obstructing the respiratory system leading to breathing difficulties

Question 25

Headaches

Answer 25

continuous pain in head/neck, migraines, tension headaches most popular

Question 26

coping

Answer 26

mental and behavioural efforts we engage in to deal with stressful situations

Question 27

problem-focused coping

Answer 27

deals with stressor directly; used if you have control over stressor ex. talking out roommate difficulties

Question 28

emotion-focused coping

Answer 28

focused on managing feelings about the stressor; used when you have no control over situation ex. eating, avoidance, etc

Question 29

perceived control

Answer 29

belief in our ability to exert control over life’s outcomes; if one sees themselves as having no control they can develop learned helplessness (belief of being powerless

Question 30

____’s 1960s learned helplessness experiment

Answer 30

Seligman; involved dogs and electric floors and learned helplessness

Question 31

Social Support

Answer 31

the extent to which a person can rely on friends/family/acquaintances during stressful times; advice, guidance, encouragement; connectedness is related to reduced mortality

Question 32

exercise (stress reduction techniques)

Answer 32

benefits mental and physical wellbeing; physically fit people are more resistant to stress; prevents telomere shortening; minimizes negative impact to hippocampus

Question 33

meditation (stress reduction techniques)

Answer 33

reduces sympathetic arousal; effective in treating high blood pressure

Question 34

Happiness

Answer 34

long-term state based on one subjective well-being; 3 elements: pleasant life, good life, meaningful life

Question 35

Positive affect

Answer 35

pleasurable engagement with the environment; greater social connectedness, adaptive coping, lower depression

Question 36

Optimism

Answer 36

general tendency to look on the brightside; linked to longevity and better immune response