GAS - General Adaptation Syndrome Flashcards
What is the General Adaptation Model?
it is a model about a persons 3-stage physiological stress response
Describes changes the body goes through when stressed
Applies regardless of what stressor is
What is the first stage of GAS?
The alarm stage
What are the two subdivisions of the Alarm Stage?
Shock and Countershock
What does shock do to the body?
Temporarily decreases blood pressure and body temp drops
people can faint from it
body reacts as if it has been injured
What does counter shock do to the body?
body releases adrenaline to cope with combating the stressor
Ability to deal with stressor shoots above normal
Sympathetic NS activates the FFF response
What is the second stage of GAS?
Resistance Stage
What happens in the resistance stage?
if stressor doesn’t go away body enters resistance stage
Ability to deal with current stress is above normal
your body uses up resources to combat stressor (cortisol)
Makes you less able to combat other stressors
What is the final stage of GAS?
The exhaustion stage
What happens in the exhaustion stage?
your body’s resources are used up and can no longer cope
more susceptible to illnesses
can lead to depressed immune system and physical/psychological exhaustion
Is GAS biological or psychological?
Biological
what is a limitation of GAS?
it doesn’t consider peoples’ individual stress response
was originally tested on rats so results can be different to humans
Excessive cortisol circulation can lead to…
colds learning difficulty
flu cognitive issues
high blood pressure depression
heart disease bad memory
diabetes
What stage is cortisol released?
The resistance stage
