Chapter 14 - psych 201 Flashcards
Stress
state brought on by any situation that threatens or appears to threaten a person’s sense of well-being, challenging the person’s ability to cope.
Stress comes from how we appraise the situation
Our perception of threat that triggers the emotional state is connected to stress
Stressor
what triggers the stress response
Acute stressor
short term and has an endpoint. Ex. Near miss in traffic
Chronic stressor
long term and lacks an endpoint. Ex. Stressful job or being unemployed for a while
Frustration
most familiar. Caused by acute or chronic. Trying to achieve something and having a barrier to progress.
Ex. Studying but getting a C on a test
Pressure
comes from within. Varies along with the task and situations. Participants experience greater stress when performing complex tasks in front of an audience than individually.
Conflict
discomfort brought by two or more goals or impulse we perceive to be incompatible. Ex. study to have good grades and have fun with friends.
Approach-approach (conflict)
we must choose between two equally desirable options (ex. Between two cake flavors)
Approach-avoidance (conlict)
desirable and undesirable options (ex. Between two chores)
Approach-avoidance (conflict)
desirable and undesirable options (ex. Hanging with friends but need to hand in a paper)
Endangered life threatening situations
being trapped in a fire
Daily hassles (stressors)
(micro-stressors) everyday things that annoy us and leave us upset or at our breaking point.
Ex. Lost keys or conflict with a romantic partner
Change (stressor)
life changes, shifts in circumstances that require adjustment. Can be the death of a spouse or minor violations of the law.
Social readjustment rating scales, certain situations (change)
how stressful certain situations were (desirable and undesirable)
Life change and illness (change)
people with higher LCU scores would more likely be for a serious health problem. There is a relationship between stress and death.
Lifespan development and stress (stressor)
different age, different stresses. Ex. Adults, death of a loved one. Students, tests and assignments
Traumatic events (lifespan development and stress)
extreme disruptions - unexpected events that can change how we view the world. PTSD, sexual or violent assault and many more things that come from traumatic events.
Chronic negative situations (lifespan development and stress)
can be more stressful if stress builds over time. Can produce feelings of mortality or uncertainty. Physical environment too, even things small as a noisy roommate.
Socio-cultural conditions (lifespan development and stress)
those in minority groups face this type of stress. Those who face prejudice and have to adjust to a different living environment or learning a new language.
Fight or flight (type of stress)
the brain sends messages to endocrine glands and bodily organs. (sympathetic and autonomic system). Goes to the adrenal gland and adrenal medulla (epinephrine and norepinephrine). Then hypothalamus (ACTH) to adrenal cortex (stress hormone cortisol).
Elevation in blood sugar to supply organisms in stress.
Cortisol prepares individuals under stress to engage in fight or flight. Constant high cortisol can leave with anxiety, depression, inflammation or high blood pressure.
General adaptation syndrome, four stages (type of stress)
selye, animals display the same pattern of response, there are consistent patterns labeled in stress.
Stage 1; alarm. Prepare for fight or flight .
Stage 2; threat continues. The Organism’s body undergoes further changes to stabilize resistance. Unable to react to new situations.
Stage 3; long periods of time. Little energy or ability to resist.
Emotional responses to stress (stress)
bodily arousal is only one dimension of our reaction to stress.
Threatened = experience of a change in mood or emotions.
Cognitive response to stress
how we appraise the situation and handle it. Ex. Missing a car key on the day of a final exam makes it more stressful.