gas model Flashcards
Selye’s general adaptation syndrome
three stages (alarm reaction, resistance, exhuastion)
alarm reactions stage
The first stage in which an individual initially encounters a stressor
Shock phase:
- The individual has slightly lowered resistance to stress than the normal level
- The body responds as though it is injured causing the body’s temperature and blood pressure momentarily drop
Counter-shock phase:
- The body has a slightly increased resistance stress compared to the normal level
Stress hormones such as adrenalin, noradrenalin and cortisol are released to mobilise the body to respond to the stressor
Sympathetic nervous system is activated increasing arousal
resistance phase
There is an increased resistance to stress compared to the normal level
Cortisol continues to circulate through the bloodstream to maintain an increased ability to respond to the stressor
The parasympathetic nervous system becomes more dominant and reduces the heart and respiration rate
Negative effects of cortisol can start to occur if the individual is in the resistance stage for a long period of time
exhaustion phase
here is a decreased resistance to stress compared to the normal level
Cortisol levels are depleted, but the prolonged and elevated levels of cortisol and physiological arousal cause the individual to become more susceptible to life threatening illnesses such as heart attacks or diabetes; individuals are no longer able to function day to day
Prolonged cortisol exposure cortisol supresses the immune system
strength
It includes the idea that resources of the body can become depleted over time
It includes that in a prolonged stress response a person’s vulnerability to disease will increase
limitation
It has a one size fits all model not accounting for individual differences which may effect the way in which people respond to stress
The model may not be relevant to humans as the research that it is based on was conducted on animals; specifically rats
