Chapter 14 Flashcards
Stress
a process whereby an individual perceives and responds to events he appraises as overwhelming or threatening to his well-being.
Primary Appraisal
judgement about the degree of potential harm/threat to well-being that a stressor might entail
Secondary appraisal
judgement of the options
available to cope with a stressor, and perceptions
of how effective such options will be.
Eustress
Stress that can be positive and motivate us to do things in our best interests
Distress
”Bad” stress, causing people to feel burned out, (fatigued and exhausted), and
performance to decline
Physiological symptom of stress
accelerated heart rate, headaches, or gastrointestinal problems
Cognitive symptoms of stress
difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Behavioral symptoms of stress
drinking alcohol, smoking, or taking actions directed at eliminating the cause
of stress
Alarm Reaction
the body’s immediate reaction upon facing a threatening situation or
emergency.
Stage of Resistance
The body has adapted (readjusted) to the stressor but remains alert and prepared to respond (with less intensity).
Stage of exhaustion
Person can no longer adapt to the stressor (depletion of
physical resources). Physical wear takes its toll on the body’s tissues and organs
Sympathetic nervous system
Triggers arousal in response to a stressor via the release of adrenaline from the adrenal glands
Cortisol
a stress hormone that
helps provide a boost of energy
when we first encounter a stressor,
preparing us to flight or flee
Chronic Stressors
events that persist over an extended period of time (e.g., long term unemployment).
Acute Stressors
brief events that sometimes continue to be experienced as overwhelming well after the even has ended (e.g., falling and breaking a leg).
Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS)
A scale consisting of 43 life events that require varying degrees of personal readjustment.
Daily Hassles
minor irritations and annoyances that are part of our every day lives
Job strain
work situation that combines excessive job demands and workload with little
discretion in decision making or job control
Job Burnout
a general sense of emotional exhaustion and cynicism in relation to one’s job
Psychophysiological disorders
physical disorders/diseases whose symptoms are
brought about or worsened by stress and emotional factors
Autoimmune disease
immune system mistakes the body’s own healthy cells for
invaders and repeatedly attacks them (can affect almost any part of the body)
Immunosuppression
the decreased effectiveness of the immune system
Psychoneuroimmunology
field that studies how psychological factors influence the immune system and immune functioning.
