Chapter 3 Stress

Question 1

Stressor

Answer 1

a stimulus that produces stress e.g thought, feeling, event, situation

Question 2

Internal stressor

Answer 2

originates within the individual e.g personal problem that causes concern about potential consequences

Question 3

External stressor

Answer 3

originates outside the individual from situations and events in the environment. e.g too much homework

Question 4

Stress

Answer 4

as a state of physiological (biological) and psychological arousal produced by internal and external stressors that are perceived by the individual as challenging or exceeding their ability it resources to cope.

Question 5

Types of Stress: Acute stress

Answer 5

produces a high level of arousal over a short time

Question 6

Types of Stress:: Episosid acute stress

Answer 6

if acute stress occurs over and over again e.g due to death of someone or health problem

Question 7

Types of stress: Chronic stress

Answer 7

ongoing demands and pressures that are long lasting

Question 8

Fight or flight or freeze response

Answer 8

an involuntary, bodily response to a sudden and immediate threat (stressor) in readiness to fight (confront), flight escape or freeze.

Question 9

freeze reactions

Answer 9

-Bodily movements and vocalisation stop
-heart rate slows
-blood pressure drops
-tense muscles collapse
-psychological detachment

Question 10

Purpose of freeze reaction

Answer 10

to avoid detection, conserve energy until the predator loses interest–> form parasympathetic NS

Question 11

cortisol

Answer 11

a hormone secreted from the adrenal glands in response to a stressor
–> acts more slowly and effects are longer lasting than other stress hormones.

Question 12

immediate effects of cortisol in response to a stressor

Answer 12

-energise the body by increasing supplies such as blood sugar and enhancing metabolism.
- turns off bodily systems not immediately required in cortisol levels.

Question 13

Elevated cortisol levels

Answer 13

contributes to the build-up of fat tissue and to weight gain as it causes increased appetite thus eating more in order to get energy.

Question 14

Physical health problems with Cortisol

Answer 14

colds, flu, high blood pressure, digestive problems, obesity, hardening of arteries, impaired cognitive performances, mental disorders e.g depression

Question 15

harmful effects of prolonged levels of cortisol

Answer 15

high blood pressure, impaired immune system functioning, vulnerability to heart disease to colds and flu, digestive problems

Question 16

Gut Brain Axis (GBA)

Answer 16

Bi-directional, multi-faced communication link between central and enteric NS. e.g. when we feel stress or anxious we may feel an upset stomach

Question 17

Gut MICROBIOTA

Answer 17

gut microbiota the microorganisms (e.g. bacteria, viruses and fungi) present in each individual’s
digestive tract (‘gut’)

Question 18

Microbiome

Answer 18

can be affected by both internal and external factors e.g diet, infection, disease and lifestyle.

Question 19

Characteristics of healthy gut microbiome

Answer 19

high levels of microbiota richness, resistance to change and outcome

Question 20

Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

Answer 20

a three-stage physiological response to stress that occurs regardless of the stressor that is encountered.

Question 21

stages of GAS

Answer 21

1. Alarm reaction- shock and countershock
2. Resistence

3.exhaustion

Question 22

Strengths of GAS

Question 23

The Lazarus and Folkman Transactional Model of Stress and Coping