Chapter 3 Stress Flashcards
stress
the state of psychological and physiological tension in response to a significant stimulus.
distress
a form of negative psychological state
eustress
a form of positive psychological state
acute stress
characterised by intense physiological and psychological tension over a short amount of time.
-Beneficial as it helps you be more effective in a situation.
-F/F/F activated in acute stress
chronic stress
characterised by intense physiological and psychological tension over a long duration of time.
-Can suppress the immune, digestive and reproductive systems.
-Increase risk of heart attack
Yerkes-Dodson Law
there is a relationship between arousal and performance
-Poor performance= low arousal
-Good performance= moderate arousal
-Poor performance= high arousal
stressor
is a stimulus that sparks the stress response
internal stressor
a stimulus within the person that prompts the stress response
-Psychological: Feelings, mindset, expectations
-Biological: Pain, illness, sleep deprivation
external stressor
a stimulus outside (Environmental) a person that prompts the stress response.
-Environmental: Loudness, extreme temperature.
-Sociocultural: Life events, loss.
stress responses
symptoms after experiencing physiological and psychological tension.
-Physiological responses include heart rate increase, sweating, headaches etc.
-Psychological responses include Behavioural, Emotional and Cognitive changes
-Behavioural responses include the F/F/F response
cortisol
a hormone released in times of stress, initiating and maintaining high levels of arousal.
-Prolonged use can cause immune suppression.
-Modifies glucose levels (alertness), acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, and regulates metabolism.
-Increases tissue repair, but also decreases.
-After the F/F/F response, cortisol is released to keep high energy levels.
-Adrenal Glands release Cortisol.
-It is slower acting, but its effects are longer lasting.
psychosomatic illness
when a prolonged period increases the risk of physiological impacts harming health and wellbeing.
Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome
a theory that states how stress resistance varies over time through stages
alarm reaction (shock)
stress resistance is below normal, the body acts as if it’s injured, and blood pressure and body temp drop.
alarm reaction (counter shock)
stress resistance is above normal, our SNS, F/F/F and adrenalin are enabled.
Resistance
stress resistance is above normal, cortisol is released, unnecessary functions are shut down, and it appears as though all is normal.
-Glucose released to brain
-Heightened body arousal
exhaustion
when our stress resistance is below normal, our resources are depleted, and our risk of becoming ill increases.
-Depletion of energy levels and resources.
strengths of GAS model
-Relationship between stress and physical reponse strong.
-Predictable patterns that can be measured
limitations of GAS model
-Hard to generalise (rats)
-Not account for psychological factors.
Transactional model of stress and coping
states that stress is an encounter between someone and their external environment.
–Depends on their interpretation of the stressor, and ability to cope with it.
primary appraisal
an individual’s assessment of the stressor
-They first determine if it is benign-positive, irrelevant or stressful, then what kind it is (Harm, Threat, challenge)
-Irrelevant has no effect on the individual
-Benign-positive results in positive outcomes.
-Stressful will result in one of three types:
Threat- any harm/loss in the future.
Harm/loss- Damage that has already happened.
Challenge- Has the potential for personal gain/growth
secondary appraisal
like primary, but an assessment of the available resources to deal with demands.
-Internal/External Resources are assessed.
-Demands>Resources=Stress
Reappraisal
links back to the Primary Appraisal when you have enough resources.
-Reclassify your original choices.
Strengths of the Transactional model
-Focuses on the psychological side of the stress response, we have an active role.
-Accounts for individual differences in similar situations.
-Respond to individual response changes and explain why differences can occur.
limitations of the transactional model
-Overlooks physiological responses
-Lack of empirical evidence, very subjective
-Overlap between Primary and Secondary appraisal stages, they naturally occur more simultaneously.
enteric nervous system
processes food absorbs nutrients and excretes waste.
-Mouth to Bottom
-Subdivision of Autonomic NS
microbiota
organisms that live in our gut and maintain gut health and functioning
Gut-brain axis
a bi-directional relationship between the Gut and Brain, that may link to stress, mental health and other psychological effects.
-Through the Central and Enteric nervous system.
-The gut is the only organ to function without the brain fully controlling it.
vagus nerve
connects systems in the brain to systems in our gut.
-80-90% of information is from the Gut to the Brain (Afferent).
-Largest storage space for mood stabilizer Serotonin.
coping
process of dealing with stress
approach strategies
finding solutions to the stressor head-on
-healthy response
Avoidance strategies
evading the stressor, by reducing stress indirectly related to the stressor
-maladaptive response
self-efficacy
belief that your own actions can influence outcome
resilience
ability to bounce back from adversity
context-specific effectiveness
involves how the strategy fits with specific demands of the stressor
-Situational factors, personal characteristics, demands of stressor
coping flexibility
ability to adjust an ineffective strategy into a effective one.
