Chapter 3B

Question 1

Hans selyes general adaptation syndrome

Answer 1

The General Adaptation Syndrome is a three stage physiological response to stress that occurs regardless
of the stressor that is encountered (i.e. it is non-specific), as proposed by psychologist Hans Selye.
It encompasses three stages (ARE): Alarm reaction (composed of the sub-stages shock and counter
shock), Resistance, and Exhaustion.

Question 2

digram

Answer 2

provided in book

Question 3

Stage 1: Alarm

Answer 3

the alarm reaction stage is our immediate, defensive reaction to a stressor when we first become aware of a situation. there are two substages of the alarm reaction:
- SHOCK: when we first become aware of a stressor, our body enters a temporary state of shock where our ability to deal with a stressor falls below normal, we may experiences a reduction in blood pressure, decrease in body temp and temporary loss of muscle tone
- COUNTER SHOCK: our body then rebounds, which will initiate our flight or fight or freeze response. as our sympathetic nervous system is dominant, our body will have a greater ability to deal with a stressor and hence, our resistance levels begin to rise above normal. hormones like adrenaline are realsed into the bloodstreem and we experience changes such as an increased in heart rate, breathing rate and more energy supply

Question 4

stage 2: resistance

Answer 4

if the stressor is not dealt with immediately, the body will still require energy and hence will enter the resistance stage. here all our unnecessary bodily functions are shut down in order to maximise the resources available to cope with the stress and all our energy is diverted to systems that will aid our ability to adapt. The body is still receiving cortisol so it has remained energised and has resistance levels that are well above normal but if cortisol continues to release it suppresses the immune system leading to illness and disease, so that why at the end of resistance people may become ill, but if stress is dealt with in this stage the body will return back to a state of homeostasis

Question 5

stage 3: exhaustion

Answer 5

if the stressor is not dealt with successfully and continues to persist the body will enter the exhaustion stage where the body will no longer have the resources to cope with the demands of the stressor. resistance levels are well below normal because the bodys resources have depleted this could lead to serious chronic illnesses

Question 6

strengths of the GAS

Answer 6

• this model helps us better understand links between stress and disease
• the model raised awareness about the effects of stress on an individuals physical health
• the model identifies the physiological aspects of stress

Question 7

limitation of the gas model

Answer 7

• the model takes a one size fits all approach and doesn’t acknowledge how individual differences may alter physiological stress responses
• experiments were conducted on rats but are not necessarily generalisable to humans
• The model explains the physiological aspect of stress but not the psychological