Chapter 15 - Stress Flashcards
Stressors
events or pressures that place demands on a person or their well being
Stress
the physical and psychological response to internal or external stressors
Health Psychology
subfield of psychology that discusses how psychological things such as stress affect physical wellbeing (illness and health)
Stressful events
life changes that can cause stress and illness
- they can be negative or positive
chronic stressors
sources of stress that occur continuously or repeatedly
perceived control
perception of stressor events (again, positive or negative) – can add to stress if lack of control
fight or flight response ‘
emotional and physiological reaction that readies us for action
HPA Definition
in charge of fight or flight response
Hypothalamus, Pituitary Gland, Adrenal Gland
HPA axis pathway
starts at hypothalamus, sends messages to pituitary gland, pituitary gland releases ACTH and sends it to blood stream.
The ACTH activates adrenal gland (just above kidneys)
Adrenal glands release hormones such as catechnolamiens and cortisol
—> activates sympathetic nervous system and deactivates parasympathetic nervous system
GAS stands for…
General Adaptation Syndrome
What is GAS
a three stage physiological response that appears regardless of the stressors that is encountered
- alarm phase
- resistance phase
- exhaustian phase
Alarm Phase
Resistance Phase
Exhaustion Phase
(all apart of GAS - the general adaptation syndrome)
Alarm Phase -mobilize resources Resistance phase (cope with stressor) --- resistance phase is the longest phase Exhaustion phase (reserves depleted)
Key thinker of GAS (General Adaptation SYndrome)
Hans Selye
highest resistance of stress during which phase of GAS?
Phase 2 - resistance cope with stressor
Immune System
a complex response system that protects the body from bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances
Lymphocytes
white blood cells that produce antibodies that fight infection
Psychoneuroimmunology
is the study of how the immune system responds to psychological variables (Stressors)
Glucocorticoids (hormones)
caused by stressors that flood the brain and wear down the immune system
Type A behaviour pattern
the tendency toward easily aroused hostility, impatience, a sense of time urgency, and competitive achievement strivings
Loss of appetite during sickness
conserve energy to be sick
Primary Appraisal
the interpretation of a stimulus as stressful or not
Secondary Appraisal
determining whether the stressor is something you can handle/ have control or not
negative appraisal
registered as a threat
positive appraisal
something that is seen as a challenge
PTSD
post traumatic stress disorder - chronic or physical arousal, recurrent unwanted thoughts or images of trauma, avoidance of things that call the traumatic events to mind
What organ may be smaller to PTSD sufferers?
hippocampus
burnout
a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion created by long term involvement in an emotionally demanding situation and accompanied by lowered performance and motivation
mind management techniques listed in lecture
repressive coping
rational coping
reframing
stress inoculation training
Repressive coping
avoiding situations or thoughts that are reminders of a stressor and maintaining an artificially positive viewpoint
rational coping
involves facing the stressor and working to overcome it; involves three steps:
acceptance, exposure, and understanding
reframing
finding new or creative way to think about a stressor that reduces its threat
stress inoculation training
a therapy that helps people to cope with stressful situations by developing positive ways to think about the situation
EMG use in stress therapy or body management
show our bodies and how they respond to thoughts and bodily movements related to action whether we are aware of it or not
relaxation therapy
a technique for reducing tension by consciously relaxing muscles of the body
relaxation response
a condition of reduced muscle tension, cortical activity, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure
bio feedback
using external monitoring device to obtain information about a bodily function and possibly gain control over that function
(EEG biofeedback)
aerobic exercise
promote stress relief and psychological well being
situation management
changing your life situation to reduce stress
social support
aid gained through interacting with others
sick role
a socially recognized set of rights and obligations linked with illness (exemptions and obligations)
malingering
lazing around and not working despite that you’re not sick anymore
hardy individuals
thick skinned individuals who tend to handle stress better than healthier people
self regulation
the exercise of voluntary control over the self to bring the self into line with preferred standards; will power basically
