chapter 3

Question 1

psychological stress response

Answer 1

the cognitive, emotional and behavioural responses to stress it is unique to every person

Question 2

physiological

Answer 2

processes that are involved with the functioning of an organism

Question 3

internal stressors

Answer 3

originate within a person. Can be biological or psychological

Question 4

external stressors

Answer 4

comes from the outside environment. cant easily control. examples
-major life events
-upcoming exams
-getting fired

Question 5

biological internal stressors

Answer 5

things related to physical wellbeing
-illness
-pain
-sleep

Question 6

psychological internal stressor

Answer 6

thoughts or behaviours that come from our own psychological mindset and expectations
-worry
-anxiety
-anger
-fear

Question 7

general adaptation syndrome GAS

Answer 7

a non-specific physiological response to stress, the bodies typical response pattern
3 stages
1- alarm reaction
2- resistance
3- exhaustion

Question 8

stress

Answer 8

the physiological and psychological responses that a person experiences when confronted with a situation that is threatening to them

Question 9

alarm reaction stage (GAS)

Answer 9

shock- when we first perceive a threat, we go into a state of shock, our resistance levels fall below normal and our body acts as injured, blood pressure drops, this stage reduces our ability to deal with the stressor.
countershock- sympathetic nervous system is activated, release of adrenaline and noradrenaline, increased hearth rate and perspiration.

Question 10

resistance stage (GAS)

Answer 10

our body attemps to stabilise our internal systems and fights the stressor, symptoms of the alarm reaction subside, arousal reamins higher, high cortisol levels supress our immume system making us more likely to get sick

Question 11

exhaustion stage (GAS)

Answer 11

if we are unable to defeat the stressor then we enter the exhaustion stage, our bodies recourses are drained and cortisol levels are depleted, likely to have mental health disorders.

Question 12

strengths and limitations of GAS

Answer 12

strength- identifies the biological process of the stress response
limitation - fails to acknowledge the psychological experience of the stress response

Question 13

cortisol

Answer 13

the release of cortisol during the activation of the sympathetic nervous system mobilises the body and increases arousal to respond to the stressor

Question 14

Lazarus and Folkman’s transactional model of stress and coping

Answer 14

a model that proposes that stress is different for everyone depending on how they interpret the stressor and perceive their ability to cope with it

Question 15

primary appraisal
step 1

Answer 15

how significant or threatening is the event?
first the individual appraises the severity of the stressor:
irrelevant
benign-positive (neutral or positive effect)
stressful

Question 16

primary appraisal
step 2

Answer 16

determine the way the stressor is stressful, is it a:
harm/loss- the stressor has already caused harm
threat- the stressor could cause harm or damage in the future
challenge-the stressor could be perceived as a potential for growth or good opportunity for the individual.

Question 17

eustress

Answer 17

positive effect

Question 18

distress

Answer 18

negative effect

Question 19

strengths and weaknesses of the transactional model of stress and coping

Answer 19

strengths- focuses on the importance of an individuals perception of stress and psychological response to stress
weakness-
does not include physiological response to stress.

Question 20

gut brain axis

Answer 20

a network of two way (bidirectional) neural pathways that enable communication between bacteria in gastrointestinal tract and the brain

Question 21

vagus nerve

Answer 21

main communication route between the brain and the gut

Question 22

gut microbiota

Answer 22

can be disrupted by stress, illness, diet and exposure to antibiotics. disruption to the healthy balance can cause digestive illness, reduce immune functioning. disruptions can also affect psychological functioning and have been linked to changes in social behaviour, stress, anxiety and depression