Chapter 4: Stress Across Cultures Flashcards
acute stress
describes stressors that are physical and or short term
allostasis
the process by which the body responds to stressors in order to regain homeostasis
appraisals
the way a potential stressful event is interpreted. A significant component of Lazarus’ psychological explanation of why we get stressed
chronic stress
long-term stress
cognitive appraisal model
Richard Lazarus’ theory of why we get stressed and defined as the imbalance between the demands placed on the individual and that individual’s resources to cope
control and stress
when we believe we have control over a situation, the situation is less likely to appraised as stressful
crossover
the transmission of stress between individuals
definition and stress
ambiguous events/roles are more stressful than one’s that are clear cut
ecological theory
a way of examining behavior developed by Bronfrenbrenner, and which identifies different levels or systems in which the individual acts rather than just focusing on the individual
fight-or-flight theory
Walter Cannon’s theory of stress hypothesizing that organism’s respond to stressful events with a nervous system activation that prepares them to actively engage the stressor. The body essentially is energized to either fight the stressor or flee.
general adaptation syndrome
Hans Selye’s theory of stress suggesting that organisms have a general way of responding to all stressors. When faced with a stressor, the body first goes into a state of alarm, then attempts to cope during a period of resistance, and finally breaks down in a state of exhaustion
homeostasis
an optimal level of ideal level of bodily functions. This varies for each individual and relates to blood glucose level, body temperature, rate of circulation, and breathing.
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) Axis
a neurological system responsible for the stress response in human. Here, the hypothalamus activates the pituitary gland that then activates the adrenal gland
natural disaster stressors
environmental stressor such as hurricanes, earthquakes and flooding produce acute stress and long term psychological trauma
predictability and stress
being able to predict how long a stressor is going to last reduces the level of stressed experienced
primary appraisals
the first stage of Lazarus’ cognitive appraisal model of stress where we determine the nature of an event, whether harmful, damaging, or challenging
role ambiguity
degree to which required information regarding role expectations are available, clear and communicated to the individual playing the role (e.g. an employee)
role conflict
incompatibility of expectations for a given role and between different roles
role theory
a role is the set of behaviors to be performed and is determined by one’s own perceptions and the expectations of others. As an individual accumulates roles, the quantity and incompatibility of role demands increase. An individual experiences role strain that results in increased role conflict and ambiguity
secondary appraisal
second stage in Lazarus’ cognitive appraisal model of stress where we determine whether we have the resources to manage an event. Relates to primary appraisal.
spillover
transmission of stress from one domain of an individual’s life into other domains of life
stress
defined in a variety of ways but most simply as an upsetting of homeostasis. A state caused when the perceived demands on an organism exceed the resources to meet those demands.
stress contaigon effect
when two or more domains or areas of a person’s life are connect, stress from one area can spillover into the other area. If work and home are interconnected, stress from one area can influence the other
techno-political stressors
an environmental stressor directly linked to technological and political issues such as infrastructure collapse and acts of terrorism
