Chapter 4 Flashcards
What is stress?
Stress is the body’s response to a perceived threat or challenge, involving physiological, emotional, and behavioral changes.
What are the effects of chronic stress?
Chronic stress can contribute to mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression, as well as physical illnesses like hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
What is affective neuroscience?
Affective neuroscience is the study of how brain structures and functions regulate emotions, including fear, happiness, and sadness.
How does affective neuroscience relate to mental health?
This field helps explain how emotional regulation affects mental health conditions like depression, PTSD, and anxiety disorders.
What is burnout?
Burnout is a state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged exposure to stress, particularly in work-related environments.
What are the symptoms of burnout?
Symptoms include fatigue, cynicism, and reduced personal accomplishment, and it is linked to mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.
What is stereotype threat?
Stereotype threat occurs when individuals underperform in a task due to fear of confirming negative stereotypes about their social group.
What are the effects of stereotype threat?
This phenomenon can increase stress responses and impair cognitive performance, particularly in educational and workplace settings.
What is the SAM axis?
The SAM axis is the body’s rapid-response system to acute stress, activating the sympathetic nervous system and releasing adrenaline.
What are the consequences of chronic activation of the SAM axis?
Chronic activation of the SAM axis can lead to long-term cardiovascular issues, such as high blood pressure and heart disease.
What is the HPA axis?
The HPA axis regulates the body’s response to stress by releasing cortisol, a hormone that helps manage energy and immune function.
What happens with dysregulation of the HPA axis?
Dysregulation of the HPA axis is associated with conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, and chronic inflammation.
What is homeostasis?
Homeostasis is the body’s ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes, such as regulating body temperature.
How does chronic stress affect homeostasis?
Chronic stress can disrupt homeostasis by overactivating stress responses, leading to imbalances in immune function and metabolism.
What are corticosteroids?
Corticosteroids are stress-related hormones, including cortisol, that help regulate metabolism, immune responses, and inflammation.
What are the effects of long-term exposure to high corticosteroid levels?
Long-term exposure to high corticosteroid levels due to chronic stress can suppress immune function and contribute to metabolic disorders.
What is the ‘tend and befriend’ response?
The ‘tend and befriend’ response is a stress-coping mechanism, particularly in women, that involves seeking social support and nurturing behavior.
What role does oxytocin play in stress?
This theory suggests that oxytocin plays a role in reducing stress by promoting bonding and social connection.
What is ecological momentary assessment (EMA)?
EMA is a research method that collects real-time data on individuals’ behaviors, emotions, and physiological responses in their natural environments.
What insights does EMA provide?
This approach provides valuable insights into how daily stressors and coping strategies influence mental and physical health.
What is cardiovascular reactivity (CVR)?
CVR refers to the body’s changes in heart rate and blood pressure in response to stress.
What is the risk associated with high CVR?
High CVR is associated with an increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease over time.
What is the reactivity hypothesis?
The reactivity hypothesis suggests that individuals with exaggerated cardiovascular responses to stress are at a higher risk for heart disease.
What does the reactivity hypothesis highlight?
This model highlights how chronic stress responses can contribute to long-term cardiovascular problems.
What is respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA)?
RSA is the natural fluctuation of heart rate during breathing, reflecting parasympathetic nervous system activity.
What does higher RSA indicate?
Higher RSA is associated with better emotional regulation and resilience to stress, while lower RSA is linked to anxiety and depression.
What is psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)?
PNI is the study of how psychological processes, the nervous system, and the immune system interact.
How does stress affect immune function according to PNI?
This field explains how stress weakens immune function, increasing susceptibility to illnesses such as infections and autoimmune disorders.
What is allostatic load?
Allostatic load refers to the cumulative wear and tear on the body from repeated exposure to chronic stress.
What are the health risks associated with high allostatic load?
High allostatic load increases the risk of diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and cognitive decline.
What is the glucocorticoid receptor (GCR) resistance model?
The GCR resistance model suggests that chronic stress leads to reduced sensitivity of glucocorticoid receptors, impairing immune regulation.
What does the GCR resistance model explain?
This model explains why prolonged stress contributes to inflammation and a higher risk of diseases such as depression and autoimmune conditions.
What is the general adaptation syndrome (GAS)?
GAS describes the three-stage physiological response to stress: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.
What can prolonged stress exposure lead to in terms of GAS?
Prolonged stress exposure can lead to exhaustion, weakening the immune system and increasing disease vulnerability.
What is the transactional model of stress?
The transactional model of stress emphasizes that stress is a dynamic interaction between an individual and their environment.
What role do cognitive appraisals play in the transactional model?
It highlights the role of cognitive appraisals in determining whether a situation is perceived as stressful or manageable.
What is primary appraisal?
Primary appraisal is the initial evaluation of whether a situation is threatening, challenging, or irrelevant.
What can a high-threat appraisal trigger?
A high-threat appraisal can trigger a strong physiological stress response, while a challenge appraisal may promote resilience.
What is secondary appraisal?
Secondary appraisal involves assessing available coping resources and determining how to respond to a stressor.
What are the outcomes of effective and ineffective secondary appraisals?
Effective secondary appraisals lead to adaptive coping strategies, while ineffective ones can result in increased distress.
What does the diathesis-stress model suggest?
The diathesis-stress model suggests that psychological disorders result from a combination of genetic vulnerabilities (diathesis) and environmental stressors.
What does the diathesis-stress model explain?
This model explains why some individuals develop disorders like depression or schizophrenia under stress, while others do not.
What is reactivity?
Reactivity refers to an individual’s physiological and emotional response to stress, including heart rate, blood pressure, and hormone secretion.
What are the health risks associated with high stress reactivity?
High stress reactivity is associated with greater health risks, such as cardiovascular disease and anxiety disorders.
What is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
PTSD is a mental health disorder that develops after exposure to a traumatic event, characterized by flashbacks, anxiety, and hyperarousal.
What neurobiological changes contribute to PTSD symptoms?
Neurobiological changes, such as hyperactivity of the amygdala and dysregulation of the HPA axis, contribute to PTSD symptoms.
What are microaggressions?
Microaggressions are subtle, often unintentional discriminatory comments or behaviors that negatively impact marginalized groups.
What are the effects of chronic exposure to microaggressions?
Chronic exposure to microaggressions can contribute to stress, anxiety, and decreased psychological well-being.
What does minority stress theory propose?
Minority stress theory proposes that individuals from marginalized groups experience additional stress due to discrimination, prejudice, and social stigma.
What are the consequences of minority stress?
This chronic stress exposure contributes to higher rates of mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, among minority populations.
