chapter 14.2

Question 1

what is stress?

Answer 1

a psychological and physiological reaction that occurs when perceived demands exceed existing resources to meet those demands

Question 2

what are stressors?

Answer 2

events that are stressful

Question 3

what is the stress response?

Answer 3

the stressful response to an event

Question 4

what can stressors be?

Answer 4

acute events (giving a speech) or chronic events (illness)

Question 5

what are the 2 effects stressors can have?

Answer 5

they can be positive or negative

Question 6

what is the cognitive appraisal theory of stress?

Answer 6

a theory that attempts to explain why people act differently to different stressors

Question 7

what are the 2 kinds of appraisals that happen in the “cognitive appraisal theory of stress”?

Answer 7

the primary appraisal
the secondary appraisal

Question 8

what is the primary appraisal in the “cognitive theory of stress”?

Answer 8

asking if this event is a threat, if the answer is no then they will not experience any threat, if the answer is yes then they will experience a physiological stress reaction and then the secondary appraisal begins

Question 9

what is the secondary appraisal in the “cognitive theory of stress”?

Answer 9

they must determine how to cope with the threat

Question 10

what is an example of the secondary appraisal?

Answer 10

studying for an exam over several days

Question 11

is stress helpful?

Answer 11

yes, some stress is good and can be helpful

Question 12

what causes the link between stress and performance to vary?

Answer 12

depending on the task

Question 13

when does stress have positive effect on performance?

Answer 13

when the tasks are being completed are relatively simple

Question 14

when does stress have negative impact?

Answer 14

when at the task is complex

Question 15

why is a simple task positively impacted by stress?

Answer 15

because even if the stress consumes the persons cognitive resources, it will be possible to complete the task

Question 16

why is a complex task negatively impacted by stress?

Answer 16

a stressed out person may find may they do not have the mental resources available to perform at the level they need

Question 17

what is an individuals zone of optimal functioning (IZOF)?

Answer 17

a range of emotional intensity in which an individuals is most likely to perform at their best

Question 18

what is fight or flight response?

Answer 18

a set pf physiological changes that occur in response to psychological or physical threats

Question 19

what is general adaption syndrome (GAS)?

Answer 19

a theory of stress responses involving stages of alarm, resistance and exhaustion

Question 20

what are the 3 stages in the general adaptation syndrome (GAS)?

Answer 20

alarm
resistance
exhaustion

Question 21

what is the alarm stage in the general adatpation syndrome?

Answer 21

alarm consists of your recognition of the threat and the physiological reactions that accompany it including increases in blood pressure and heart rate and adrenaline release

Question 22

what is the resistance stage in the general adaptation syndrome?

Answer 22

resistance is characterized by an individual using their physical and mental resources to respond to the stressor

Question 23

what is an example of the resistance stage in the general adaptation syndrome?

Answer 23

running away from predators

Question 24

what is the exhaustion stage in the general adaptation syndrome?

Answer 24

this occurs when the stressful experience depletes your physical resources and your physiological stress response, and thus your ability to cope declines

Question 25

what are 3 examples of stress responses?

Answer 25

sweaty palms
increased heart rate
gastrointestinal sensations

Question 26

what is the autonomic pathway?

Answer 26

it originates in the brain and extends to the body where you can feel stress the most

Question 27

what is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis?

Answer 27

a neural and endocrine circuit that provides communication between the nervous system (hypothalamus) and the endocrine system (pituitary and adrenal glands)

Question 28

what is cortisol?

Answer 28

a hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex (the outer part of the adrenal gland) that prepares the body to respond to respond stressful circumstances

Question 29

what is the difference in the HPA axis of men and women?

Answer 29

males have a larger cortisol response to stress than females, as a result males tend to respond to threats with a rapid expenditure of energy

Question 30

how are men most likely to respond to stress?

Answer 30

fight or flight

Question 31

how are women most likely to respond to stress?

Answer 31

tend and befriend

Question 32

what is prompted in women after the tend and befriend reaction?

Answer 32

the release of oxytocin

Question 33

what is oxytocin?

Answer 33

a hormone involved in reproduction, child birth and social bonding

Question 34

what are the 5 behaviours oxytocin influences?

Answer 34

romantic attachment
social bonding
trust
wound healing
orgasms

Question 35

how does oxytocin impact stress?

Answer 35

it reduces activity in the sympathetic nervous system and blood pressure

Question 36

what are some ways women can boost their oxytocin levels?

Answer 36

breast feeding
receive hugs and gifts from their romantic partner

Question 37

why do people get sick during high stress periods?

Answer 37

the immune system, which is responsible for protecting the body against disease has tons of connections to the nervous system including the stress response system, causing stress to impact the immune system

Question 38

what is psychoneuroimmunology?

Answer 38

the study of the relationship between the immune system and the functioning nervous system

Question 39

are physiologists finding out the the relationship between stress and illness is complex?

Answer 39

yes

Question 40

what kind of stress causes the immune system to get better?

Answer 40

acute stressors

Question 41

what are accuse stressors?

Answer 41

Coming in bursts, acute stress typically happens quickly and fades once the situation or circumstance has passed

Question 42

what kind of stressors caused the immune system to get worse?

Answer 42

chronic stressors

Question 43

what can cause a higher risk of developing coronary heart disease?

Answer 43

high stress levels

Question 44

what is coronary heart disease?

Answer 44

a condition in which plaques form in the blood vessels that supply the heart with blood and oxygen resulting in restricted blood flow

Question 45

what is an important factor in reducing your stress levels?

Answer 45

depends on if your personalty is type A or type B

Question 46

what is the type A personality?

Answer 46

describes people who tend to be impatient and worry about time and are easily angered, competitive and highly motivated

Question 47

what is the type B personality?

Answer 47

describes people who are more laid back and characterized by a patient, easygoing, and relaxed disposition

Question 48

is type A people more likely to have a heart attack or type B?

Answer 48

type B

Question 49

true or false, high level of stress can cause a person to develop a stomach ulcer?

Answer 49

false

Question 50

how can stress and food influence the hearts function?

Answer 50

people are drawn towards sweet and fatty foods when they are stressed

Question 51

how does cortisol impact how we eat food?

Answer 51

women who had higher cortisol levels ate more sweet and high-fat snacks than women who has lower levels

Question 52

who do people and other species tend to use fatty and sugary foods to deal with stress?

Answer 52

because it rewards the dopamine reward system in the brain and because it supplies out bodies with extra calories in anticipation of the person having to use additional energy to deal with the stressor

Question 53

why do