Exam 2 Study Guide Flashcards
Define stress
Threats of challenges we have to meet. Or the process of dealing w/ such
What is Health Psychology?
Sub field of psych that provides psychologys contribution to behavioral medicine
What is the relationship b/w stress and disease?
Tress weakens the immune systems making individuals more prone to illness. Long term stress increases the risk of heart disease and stroke
Walter cannon
•new perspective on stress
•experimented on mice
-exposed them to stress, notes hormones released: epinephrine + norepinephrine. ⬆️ heart rate and breathing
Selye: General adaptation syndrome
- Alarm stage: stressor is known. Sympathetic nervous system activates
- Resistance: person settles into high stress situation.
- Exhaustion: resistance phase too long. Results in illness/ DNA damage
Types of coping
Problem focused: direct relief. By changing the stressor/ interaction with stressor
Emotion focused: ignoring the stressor. Attending to emotional needs related to the stress reaction
Loss of control & health
We always feel a need to be in control. Lack of control = stress which = poorer health
Value of social support & cardio health
Social support calms us and reduces blood pressure & stress hormones
Social support fosters stronger immune functioning
Aerobic exercise + health
Helps fight heart disease by strengthening the heart, ⬆️ blood flow, ⬇️ blood pressure.
Exercise adds to lifespan. Gives you energy and a better mood
The relaxation response
A state of calm: relaxed muscles, slowed breathing and heart rate, ⬇️ blood pressure
Has lasting stress reducing benefits
Define personality
A persons characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting
Define the psychodynamic personality theory
Views personality w/ a focus on the unconscious and the importance of childhood experiences
Freud & psychological processes
Came up w/ the concept of an unconscious
Believed everything happens for a reason
Believed unconscious thoughts were constantly trying to break through
Id, Ego, Superego
- Id: all about immediate gratification. Dominates infancy. No concept of the future. All about pleasure/destruction
- Ego: mediates battle between id and superego.
- Superego: parent/societal values. Work hard, study, be perfect. Would drive you crazy. Perfectionism. Develops around 4 or 5
The reality principle & pleasure principle
The id is the pleasure principle
-seeks immediate gratification
The ego is the reality principle
-gratifying the ids impulses realistically
