exam revision Flashcards
what is eustress with an example
a positive psychological response to a stressor, characterised by positive psychological states, that helps the body perform at an optimal level. for example, the thrill you experience when watching a horror movie
what is distress with an example
a negative psychological response to a stressor, characterised by negative psychological states, that impedes optimal performance. for example, the death of a loved one
what are daily pressures? with eg
frequently experienced stressors consisting of relatively minor events that require adjustments in behaviour. or example, missing the bus
what are life events? with eg
stressors that consist of significant but relatively rare events that require substantial adjustments in behaviour within a relatively short time. for example, wedding or family death
what is acculturative stress? with eg
stressed caused by attempting to psychologically and socially adapt to the demands and values of a foreign culture. for example, relocating to a new country
what are major catastrophes? with eg
a sudden, unpredictable, uncontrollable, intense event that causes large scale damage and suffering for a group. for example, a war
why are the symptoms of PTSD
- reoccurring vivid flashbacks and/or nightmares about event
- avoiding reminders of the event
- feeling detached from others
- negative thought pattern
- increased anger
- disruption to sleep
- prolonged autonomic arousal
what is chronic stress?
a state if prolonged physiological arousal in response to a persistent stressor that negatively affects health and well being
what is acute stress?
a state of brief but intense physiological arousal in response to an immediate perceived stressor that normally has no negative effects on health and well being
what is stress?
a state of mental or physical tension that occurs when an individual must adjust or adapt to their environment but they do not feel they have the capacity to do so
what is a stressor?
the object or event that causes a feeling of stress
what is selves GAS model
a biological process
what happens in the alarm reaction (shock) stage
the resistance to stress is below normal, the body acts as though its injured as blood pressure and body temperature drop
what happens in the alarm reaction (counter shock) stage
the resistance to stress is above normal, the sympathetic NS is activated as well as the FFF response and adrenalin is released
what happens in the resistance stage
the resistance to stress is above normal, cortisol is released and all unnecessary functions are shut down, individual appears as if all is normal
what happens in the exhaustion stage
the resistance to stress is below normal, resources are depleted, the immune system is left weakened and prolonged release of adrenalin has negative effects on the body, the individual is susceptible to illness & disease
what is cortisol?
Cortisol is a steroid hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands (above kidneys) and it is directly secreted into the bloodstream for quick tranposrtation throughout the body
what is the function of cortisol?
Cortisol can help control blood sugar levels, regulate metabolism, help reduce inflammation, and assist with memory formulation
what is the role of cortisol in the stress response
cortisol energises the body by increasing availability of blood glucose and enhanced metabolism and is controlled by the HPA axis
strengths of gas model
- it measures a predictable pattern that can be measured in individisuals
- tracks biological patterns in different types of stress
limitations of gas model
- research wasn’t conducted on humans
- does not account for individual differences and psychological factors
differences between primary and secondary appraisals
the primary appraisal focuses on whether the stressor will have a positive or negative effect on us or if it is relevant or not. the secondary appraisal is to figure out what resources are available to cope with the stressor
different between problem and emotion focused coping
problem focused strategies directly target the stressor and aim to reduce it, whereas emotion focused strategies aim to manage the emotional distress caused by a stressor by changing the unpleasant emotions associated with it
strengths of transactional model
- human subjects
- accounted for both mental processes and emotions
- acknowledged that its a personal/individual/subjective model
imitations of transactional model
- initial appraisal may not be clear cut
- difficult to test experimentally
- less emphasis on physiological elements
what happens with too much cortisol
causes a biochemical imbalance and hormone imbalance that can cause blood sugar imbalances and higher blood pressure, increased weight
what is coping
all the things we do to manage and reduce stress
what is coping strategy
behavioural or psychological responses a person uses to manage or reduce a stressor
what is context specific effectiveness
whether there is a match or good fit between coping strategy that is used and stressful situation
what is coping flexibility
individuals ability to effectively modify or adjust ones coping strategy according to demand of situation. high - readily adaptable
low - rely on same strategy
physical benefits of exercise
- increases energy levels
- strengthens your immune system
- lowers risk of disease
- maintains healthy heart rate, blood pressure and core temperature threshold
- relaxes tense muscles and tissues to reduce pains
- promotes release of serotonin and endorphins
psychological benefits of exercise
- reduces mental fatigue
- improves alertness and concentration
- reduces stress related anxiety
- promotes a positive modd because of increased levels of seratonin and endorphins
what are approach strategies
effort to confront stressor and deal with it directly
- activity focused towards stressor, causes and solutions that address underlying issues and minimise impact of stressor eg. plan of action, seeking info, alertness
what are avoidant strategies
effort to evade stressor and deal indirectly with its effects
- activity focused away from stressor, no attempt to actively confront stressor/causes eg. ignore it, change subject, use of alcohol or drugs
what is neural plasticity
the ability of the brain’s neural structure or function to be changed in response to the environment, influenced by genetic and environmental factors
what is synaptogenisis
the process by which synapses are forms between neurons, this occurs throughout life but most rapidly during infancy up to 2 years.
what is learning
a relatively permanent change in behaviour due t experience
what is memory
the process of encoding, storage and retrieval of information
in what ways can neural plasticity occur?
- producing growth of new syntactic connections
- pruning away existing (unused) synaptic connections
- modifying the strength or effectiveness of synaptic transmission
what is long term potentiation
long lasting strengthening of synaptic connections resulting in enhanced or more effective synaptic transmission.
- more vesicles, neurotransmitters and receptor sites
- increased communication
what is long term depression
long lasting decrease in the strength of synaptic transmission, resulting from lack of stimulation
- less vesicles, neurotransmitters and receptor sites
- decreased communications
neurotransmitters
- chemical substance that is released at the synapse to interact between pre and post synapse neuron
- only function as a neurotransmitter
- can dampen or enhance a response
- released quickly and travel short distances
neurohormones
- a chemical substance that is released by a neuron and is secreted into circulation
- can function as a hormone or a neurotransmitter
- can dampen or enhance a response
- slower release and travel longer distances
similarities between neurohormones and neurotransmitters
- chemical messengers
- can enhance or inhibit a response
what is the role of glutamate in memory and learning
- main excitatory neurotransmitter for learning and memory
- promotes growth and strengthening of synaptic connections between neurons
- vital role in LTP and LTD: the more glutamate can excite the post synaptic neuron the more it contributes to LTP(&vice versa)
what is the role of adrenalin in memory and learning
- can enhance the encoding process of log term memories of emotionally arousing experiences
- affects memory by activating the amygdala for a fear response. tends to enhance our memory retention and consolidation
what is consolidation
the process of making a newly formed memory stable and enduring after learning
what is operant conditioning
a type of learning in which behaviour becomes controlled by its consequences. it is a voluntary behaviour
3 phase model of OC
A- antecedent (discriminative stimulus)–Stimulus conditions that exist in the environment prior to response
B- behaviour–Response or voluntary behaviour of the organism
C- Consequence–Consequence that is applied to the response
what are reinforcers
any stimulus that strengthens or increases a response
Positive reinforcement - a reward which strengthens a response by providing a pleasant consequence eg. a star on a chart
Negative reinforcement - the removal, reduction or prevention of an unpleasant stimulus eg taking a panadol for headache, if it works you’ll take it again
what are punishers
any stimulus that weakens decreases the likelihood of a. response
Punishment - a behaviour followed by a negative experience eg detention
Response Cost - a form of punishment that entails something pleasurable being removed eg phone taken away
what is classical conditioning
a form of learning where two normally unrelated stimuli are repeatedly linked so that existing reflex responses are elicited by new stimuli; also known as respondent conditioning
what is the neutral stimulus (NS)
a stimulus that does not naturally elicit any specific response eg bell
what is the unconditioned stimulus (UCS)
a specific stimulus that is innately capable of eliciting a reflex response eg food
what is the unconditioned response (UCR)
the natural, automatic response to a specific unconditioned stimulus eg salivation
what is conditioned stimulus (CS)
a stimulus that evokes a specific response due to learning eg bell
what is the conditioned response (CR)
a reflex response to a previously neutral stimulus that occurs after learning has taken place eg salivation
phases of classical conditioning
phase 1 – before conditioning (before learning)
phase 2 – during conditioning (During learning) known as acquisition; the learning itself, gaining of knowledge
phase 3 – after conditioning (after learning)
limitations of punishment
- doesn’t teach whats right, only whats wrong
- it could be too harsh or too soft
- might not be the right timing
what is observational learning
when learning occurs by watching others and noting the consequences of their actions, then imitating or not imitating their behaviour
steps in observational learning (ARRMR)
All Rude Rats Make raspberries
- Attention - focus on distinctive features of model’s behaviour.
- Retention – need to be able to remember model’s behaviour
- Reproduction – must be capable of imitating behaviour
- motivation – needs to be an incentive in imitating behaviour
- reinforcement – must be some reward for modelling behaviour (internal satisfaction, vicarious reinforcement or external reinforcement)
comparing classical and operant conditioning
classical is passive, operant is active
classical involves the stimulus then a response, operant is response then stimulus
classical is a reflex so is involuntary, operant is voluntary
classical involves autonomic NS, operant involves somatic NS
classical can substitute one stimuli for another, operant cannot
similarities of classical and operant conditioning
both learning models
both 3 stage models
stimulus generalisation in classical conditioning
when stimuli similar to the conditioned stimulus produce the conditioned response
stimulus discrimination in classical conditioning
the ability to discriminate between stimuli so that only a specific stimulus produces the conditioned response
extinction in classical conditioning
gradual decrease in strength or frequency of a CR when the UCS is no longer available
spontaneous recovery in classical conditioning
the reappearance of a CR to the CS after a period of apparent extinction
operant stimulus generalisation
the tendency to respond to stimuli similar to stimuli that precede operant reinforcement
operant stimulus discrimination
the ability to differentiate between similar stimuli to the stimuli that signal reinforcement and non reinforcement
operant extinction
when the learnt response gradually decreases in strength or rate of response after reinforcement stops
operant spontaneous recovery
reappearance of a previously reinforced response after a period of operant extinction
acquisition difference for CC and OC
CC - Association of two stimuli NS and UCS.
OC - Association of response with a consequence.
ethical considerations breach in little Albert
informed consent - alberts mother claims she was not told of what the experiment would entail so there was not adequate permission given
confidentiality- Watson published the results of the experience, Albert wasn’t remained anonymous
experience trauma- Albert suffered emotionally after the experiment
debrief- Albert and his mother were not told of the conditioning experiment and what they were actually doing while he was conditioned
what are the four p’s
- predisposing
- precipitating
- perpetuating
- protective
what are predisposing factors
- factors that increase vulnerability to developing mental health problems eg. inherited traits, exposure at birth, neglect, illness
what are precipitating factors
factors that trigger the onset or exacerbation of mental health problems eg. poor sleep, losing job, loss of relationship, substance use
what are perpetuating factors
factors that inhibit recovering from mental health problems eg. poor health, no social support, social isolation, substance use, rumination, unemployment
what are protective factors
the factors that prevent the occurrence or reoccurrence of mental health problems eg. good health/sleep/exercise, hormonal balance, resilience, resources and strong social support
biological factors approach to mental health
- genetic vulnerability
- poor response to medication due to genetic factors
- poor sleep
- substance use
psychological factors
approach to mental health
- impaired reasoning and memory
- stress
- poor self efficacy
social risk factors
approach to mental health
- disorganised attachment
- loss of a significant relationship
- stigma
what is cumulative risk
multiple risk factors interacting together to precipitate a mental disorder
what is a high level of functioning
characteristics of a mentally healthy person
- being able to interact and involve oneself in society and to undertake everyday tasks such as personal hygiene, work or eating
what is social and emotional wellbeing
characteristics of a mentally healthy person
- social well-being is a sense of belonging to a community, this can involve having a job or being a member in a sporting team
- emotional wellbeing is the experience of positive relationships such as happiness
the most important ethical considerations on mental health research
- informed consent - as mentally unhealthy people are more vulnerable it is required to gain their consent so they fully agree to the experiment
- placebos -
what is stress
- subjective
- psychological and physiological response to a stressor
- chronic and acute
- helps to avoid danger with the activation of FFF and perform optimally
what is anxiety
- normal emotion
- feelings of apprehension, uneasiness and dread
- ambiguous or unclear threat
- affects daily functioning, ongoing, persistent, out of proportion to the event = disorder
- most common disorder, 1 in 6 ppl
what is a phobia
- 3% of Australians experience
- intense, persistent, irrational fear of a particular object or event
- interrupts daily functioning
- has to be present for 6 months to be diagnosed
- 4 types: animal, situational, blood/injection, natural environment
continuum for phobia
healthy - reacting - injured - disorder
biological factors
development of specific phobia
- > GABA dysfunction - inhibitory role so post synaptic neuron less likely to fire. GABA regulates arousal, anxiety and sleep so if it is low it can mean high levels of anxiety
- > stress response - activated by a perceived threat or impending harm at the sight of a phobic stimulus, role shouldn’t be considered in isolation of other factors
- > LTP - amygdala plays a role in initiating and processing emotional responses such as fear, the hippocampus is responsible for the formation of declarative memories. the fear stimulus will strengthen memory circuit via amygdala producing fear responses
- the development of phobias are influenced by learning and experienced