Chapter 3

Question 1

Eustress

Answer 1

A positive psychological response to a stressor, as indicated by positive states such as feeling enthusiastic, excited, active and alert.

Question 2

Distress

Answer 2

A negative psychological response to a stressor, indicated by negative psychological states such as anger, anxiety or nervousness, irritability or tension.

Question 3

Daily pressures

Answer 3

A type of stressor involving little problems of everyday living that are irritants.

Question 4

Life events

Answer 4

A type of stressor in everyday life involving change that forces an individual to adapt to new circumstances.

Question 5

Acculturative stress

Answer 5

The stress people experience in trying to adapt to a new culture when living in it for a considerable period of time.

Question 6

Major stressors

Answer 6

A type of stressor involving an event that is extraordinarily stressful or disturbing for almost everyone who experiences it.

Question 7

Catastrophe

Answer 7

An unpredictable event that causes widespread damage or suffering. As a stressor, the event is one that the majority of people involved would interpret as being stressful.

Question 8

Fight-flight-freeze response

Answer 8

An involuntary, physical response to a sudden and immediate threat (or stressor) in readiness for fight (confront), flight (escape) or freeze (avoid detection).

Question 9

Fight-flight reactions

Answer 9

Reactions initiated by the sympathetic Nervous System that prepare the body to fight off a threat or escape from it.

Question 10

Freeze reaction

Answer 10

Reaction that results in an organism being in a physiological state involving high arousal of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, resulting in a condition characterised by both energy conservation and mobilised state ready for action.

Question 11

Cortisol

Answer 11

A hormone secreted from the adrenal cortex to primarily energise the body in response to a stressor.

Question 12

Alarm reaction

Answer 12

The first stage of the General Adaption Syndrome in which the body goes into a temporary state of shock, then rebounds (countershock), following initial exposure to a stressor.

Question 13

Resistance Stage

Answer 13

The second stage of the General Adaption Syndrome, when the body’s resistance to the particular stressor develops and rises above its normal levels.

Question 14

Exhaustion Stage

Answer 14

The third stage of the General Adaption Syndrome when the body can no longer sustain resistance and the effects of the stressor can no longer be dealt with, resulting in the organism becoming weak and more vulnerable to physical and mental disorders.

Question 15

Strengths of GAS

Answer 15

-One of the first to link stress to disease
-Involved a clear three phases common to all
stressors
-Incorporated an exhaustion phase

Question 16

Limitations of GAS

Answer 16

-Assumes everyone has exactly the same responses, which may not be true. ‘One size fits all’ model
-Doesn’t take into account a cognitive viewpoint e.g. two different people may judge the same situation differently – stressful or not stressful
-Was tested on rats – may not be fully applicable to humans

Question 17

Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping

Answer 17

The Lazarus and Folkman Transactional Model of Stress and Coping states that stress involves an encounter (or transaction) between an individual and their environment, and that a stress response depends upon the individual’s appraisal of the stressor and their ability to cope.

Question 18

Primary appraisal

Answer 18

An evaluation of the significance of a potential stressor resulting in a decision that it is either irrelevant, benign (positive) or stressful

Question 19

Secondary appraisal

Answer 19

An evaluation of coping options and resources that may be available for dealing with a stressor.

Question 20

Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping Strengths

Answer 20

• Understands that each individual will react differently to a situation
• The individual has an active, rather than a passive, role
• Includes personal appraisals of a situation, which explains why people react in different ways to the
  same stressor

Question 21

Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping Limitations

Answer 21

• Difficult to test through experimental research
• Primary and secondary appraisals are often undertaken simultaneously and can interact with each
  other. They are therefore difficult to isolate for study
• Doubt whether we actually need to appraise something as stressful to have a stress response

Question 22

Coping strategy

Answer 22

A specific method that individuals use to manage the stress produced by a stressor. There are many different types of coping strategies.

Question 23

Context-Specific Effectiveness

Answer 23

Coping strategy ‘matching’ the stressor. For example, if a student has a big test coming up, a coping strategy that incorporates positive action, such as study, would be effective. However, strategies such as mental distancing (not thinking about the test) will likely be ineffective.

Question 24

Coping Flexibility

Answer 24

an individual’s ability to effectively change or modify their coping technique when necessary. People with a high coping flexibility are able to change their coping strategies if their current strategy isn’t working. People with a low coping flexibility tend to stick to the same strategies across a number of situations, even if they are being proven ineffective. As expected, people with a high coping flexibility tend to handle stress more effectively.

Question 25

Exercise

Answer 25

Exercise is a common strategy for coping with stress. Exercise can help to reduce stress by:
- Using up stress hormones in the blood for energy
- Increases cardiovascular fitness and stamina, which increases an individual’s ability to cope with future
stressors
- Giving a short-term psychological boost
- Beta-endorphins, which promote relaxation and wellbeing, are released during exercise.
- Provide a distraction from the stressor

Question 26

Approach coping strategies

Answer 26

involve direct efforts to confront a stressor and deal directly with it. Activity is focused towards the stressor. For example, if stressed about an upcoming exam, an approach strategy would be to study harder and ensure that you are prepared.

Question 27

Avoidance coping strategies

Answer 27

involve efforts that evade a stressor and deal indirectly with it. Activity is focused away from the stressor. For example, if stressed about an upcoming exam, an avoidance strategy would be to try and relax by catching up with friends, or preparing for the worst and not trying.