chapter 3 - stress Flashcards
Stress
a state of physiological and psychological arousal produced by internal or external stressors, that are perceived by the individual as challenging or exceeding their ability or resources to cope.
Stressor
any person, situation or event that produces stress & challenges our ability to cope.
-physical
-psychological
-internal/external
subjective
Eustress
positive psychological response to a stressor eg. Feeling excited, active and alert. It is usually a short -term type of stress
Distress
negative psychological response to a stressor eg anger, anxiety, nervousness or tension. This can be both short and long term
Daily pressures
A type of stressor involving little problems of everyday living that are irritants; also called hassles.
different for different areas of life
-cleaing room
-conflicts w gf or bf
-concerns abt weight
Life events
a type of stressor in everyday life involving change that forces an individual to adapt to new circumstances.
-divorce
-new job
Acculturative stress
The stress people experience in trying to adapt to a new culture when living in it for a considerable period of time.
-migrants/refugees
major stress
A type of stressor involving an event that is extraordinarily stressful or disturbing for almost everyone who experiences it.
- typically something life threatening
Catastrophe
An unpredictable event that causes widespread damage or suffering.
-psychological symptoms that can last long after the event has passed. E.g. PTSD
-World War
stress as a biological process - the two models
the fight–flight–freeze response and the General Adaptation Syndrome
The fight–flight–freeze response
is an involuntary, physical response to a sudden and immediate threat (or stressor) in readiness to
fight — confronting and fighting off the threat
flight — escaping by running away to safety
freeze — keeping absolutely still and silent, avoiding detection.
two stress hormones
adrenaline (also called epinephrine)
and noradrenaline (also called norepinephrine).
cortisol
A hormone secreted from the adrenal cortex to primarily energise the body in response to a stressor
HPA axis
is activated if a stressor persists, resulting in the release of cortisol.
- the HPA axis takes significantly longer (seconds to minutes) to exert its influences.
- Its effects also persist for a much longer time (minutes to hours).
effect amount of cortisol can lead to
impaired immune system functioning and thereby increased vulnerability to disease
GAS
General Adaptation Syndrome
General Adaptation Syndrome DEF
three-stage response to a stressor involving alarm reaction (shock/countershock), resistance and exhaustion.
GAS stage 1
Alarm reaction
First become aware of the stressor
state of shock, and its ability to deal with the stressor falls to below its normal level
During countershock, the sympathetic nervous system is activated and the body’s resistance to the stressor increases
GAS stage 2
Resistance
the body’s resistance to the particular
stressor rises above normal
all unnecessary physiological processes are shut down e.g. digestion.
The hormones abnormally high levels leaves the immune system weak and susceptible to illness/disease
GAS stage 3
Exhaustion
the body can no longer sustain resistance and the effects of a stressor can no longer be dealt with, resulting in the organism becoming weak and more vulnerable to physical and mental disorders.
Strengths of GAS
it measures a predictable pattern that can be measured in individuals
- if stress is prolonged stages are all experiences therefore tracks biological patters in different types of stress
limitations of GAS
- research was not conducted on humas
- GAS tends to underestimate the roles of bodily functions (not endocrine) and over looks the psychological factors.
difference between physiological and psychological response
physiological responses are automatically occurring, they’re predictable and involuntary
psychological response is not involuntary and we have control over them on an individual level
Lazarus and Folkmans Transactional model of stress and coping DEF.
proposes that stress involves an encounter (transaction) between an individual and their environment – stress response depends on the individuals interpretation (appraisal) of the stress and their judgment of their ability to cope with it.
primary appraisal
we evaluate or judge the significance of the situation The outcome of the primary appraisal is a decision about whether the situation is: relevant, benign-positive or stressful
Secondary appraisal:
we evaluate our coping options, resources and options for dealing with the stressful situation.
Coping can be internal (e.g strength & determination) or external (e.g. money, support from family & friends).
strengths of Transactional model of stress and coping
- accounts for individual differences in response
- responds to changes in individuals response through reappraisal
limitations of Transactional model of stress and coping
- lack of imperial evidernce
- an overlap between primary and secondary appraisal stages
coping defintion
the process of constantly changing cognitive & behavioural efforts to manage specific internal or external stressors that are appraised as taxing or exceeding the resources of a person.
coping strategy def.
is a specific method, behavioural or psychological, that people use to manage or reduce the stress produced by a stressor.
Two commonly used categories of coping with stress
approach and avoidance coping.
Approach coping strategies
involve efforts to confront a stressor and deal directly
with it and its effects
Avoidance coping strategies
An effort that evades a stressor and which indirectly deals with the stressor and its effects; compare with approach coping strategy.
3 strategies for coping with stress
- Context specific effectiveness: In relation to coping with stress, when there is a match or ‘good fit’ between the coping strategy that is used and the stressful situation 2. Coping flexibility: The ability to effectively modify or adjust one’s coping strategies according to the demands of different stressful situations.
- Exercise: is physical activity that is usually planned and performed to improve or maintain one’s physical condition
