health psychology Flashcards
what is personality?
characteristics that make up a person such as, introversion/ extroversion, funny, boring
the hardy personality (commitment)
hardy people have strong sense of purpose and throw themselves into tasks and projects.
the hardy people (challenge)
hardy people welcome change and see it as an opportunity for development
hardy people (control)
hardy people like to take control of situations don’t like to go with the flow
the hardy personality
kobasa (1979) believed that hardiness can protect against stress and therefore ill health the hardy people involves the 3Cs (commitment, challenge and control)
type A personality
the scientific interest in the link between personality, stress and illness
Friedman and Roseman (1959)
found that coronary heart disease might be associated with patterns of behavior. They later described personality as Type A and B.
What is the theory of planned behaviour?
a cognitive theory by Azjen (1985) which proposes that individuals decide to engage in specific behaviour, such as gambling, can be predicted by their intention to engage in behaviour.
What are subjective norms?
the perceived social pressures to perform or not perform the behaviour.
intra-role conflict
when your role involves too many demands
inner-role conflict
every person has multiple roles they must perform each week/month. all these have competing demands.
what happens when a person feels stressed?
-heart rate
-fight or flight
-adrenaline released
-breathing faster
-shake
-sweaty
-pupils dilate
cortisol
HPA system produces cortisol which helps the body metableise sugar for enough energy and makes us feel alert and responsive
oxytoxin
female hormone that inhibits the fight or flight response
Taylor (2006)
coined the tend or befriend reaction which is the females dont run away but tend to their offspring and befriend females therefore fight or flight response is biased towards females
steps of CBT
step one: cognative prep- which helps the individual identify triggers for the stressors
step two: skill acquisition- teaching coping mechanisms to manage stress
step three: apply the skills to real life settings
strengths of CBT
Sheely + Horan (2004) gave SIT to the univercity students who were stressed. Their stress was compared to a cg. they did better in exam.
weakness of CBT
-it is demanding
-adaptive (hard to test effectiveness)
biofeedback
phase 1: awareness and psyiological feedback, client is connected to a machine that shows psysiological activities
phase 2:relaxation training and control, client becomes aware of their responses and then gets trained to control of those responses.
strength of biofeedback
research evidence that shows biofeedback can be effective (lemaire et al. 2011)
weakness of biofeedback
-it is unsuitable for some people because it requires a lot of effort and motivation
-it does not give consistenly positive results
what is mindfulness?
an approach to life which emphasises ‘being in the present’ and attending to thoughts, feelings and emotions in accepting and non-judgemental way. it involves mediative techneques structured into programs which can promote heath by, for example, managing stress and treating addictions.
strengths of mindfulness
-it has been successufully applied very widely
-evidence support Wen Li et at. (2017) reviewed 34 studies testing the effectiveness of several programs for addiction.
weakness of mindfulness
may have been overhyped . it has caught public imagination but, despite the points above, evidence is often inconclusive.
counselling
a goal-focused talking therapy that aims to increase a clients self-esteem through unconditional positive regard from a therapist who actively listens to the client.
guided self-help
a type of talking therapy based on cognitive behavioural therapy. the client works through materials, learning to use CBT techniques with occasional support from a mental health professional.
strength of counselling
it can be used to help a wide range of clients
weakness of counselling
lack of evidence support for effectivness
strength of guided self help
research studies show that GSH is effective.
weakness of guided self help
not all forms of GSH are equally effective or useful.
what is addiction
a mental health issue in which a person takes a behaviour that is pleasurable but eventually becomes compulsive with harmful consequences.
griffiths six components of addiction
1.phsical and psychological depedence
2.tolerance
3.withdrawal
4.relapse
5.conflict
6.mood alteration
what is genetic predisposition
the genes we inherit from our parents contribute to our health but do not demine it. this is because an individual does not inherit a gene for health or for an illness.
how does health influence health and illness
genes affect the likelihood we will engage in physical activity and therefore be healthier.
strengths of biological influences
-correcting neurotransmitter imbalances in a useful way to improve health
-another strength of genetic predisposition is that it includes a role for non-genetic factors.
weakness of biological influences
it oversimplifies the causes of heath
positive reinforcement
occurs when the consequences of a behaviour are rewarded. the reward reinforces the behaviour and makes it more likely to happen again.
negative reinforcement
occurs when avoidance of an unpleasant consequence of a behaviour is rewarded. this reinforces the behaviour and makes it more likely to recur.
using positive reinforcement
external feedback can provide positive reinforcement for most people e.g. praising someone for eating fruit and veg.
using negative reinforcement
using negative reinforcement is based upon avoidance of unpleasant outcomes. eating unhealthy foods might provoke guilt.
strengths of behaviourist approaches
-operant conditioning can encourage real-world healthy behaviours
-research evidence supporting the effects of reinforcement
weakness of behaviourist approaches
operant conditioning is only useful for a narrow range of healthy behaviours.
theory of planned behaviour
icek Ajzen (1991) formulated the theory of planned behaviour, changes in behaviour can be predicted from our intention to change which in turn is the outcome of personal attitudes towards the behaviour in question, our beliefs about what others think, and our perceived ability to control our behaviour.
intra-role conflict - role conflict
when an employee faces competing demands within their role in the workplace. often when roles are poorly defined and the employee has to report to two managers.
inter-role conflict- role conflict
when a person has two different roles with competing demands. in many cases one role is work-related and the other is outside the workplace.
hardiness
can protect against stress and ill health. there are 3 key concepts
-commitment
-challenge
-control
commitment- hardiness
hardy people are deeply involved in their relationships and their activities. they throw themselves into life and have a strong sense of purpose.
challenge- hardiness
hardy people are resilient and welcome challenge as an opportunity rather than as a threat. they recognise that life is unpredictable, but see this as exciting and stimulating.
control- hardiness
hardy people have a strong belief that they are in charge of events, that it is they who make things happen, rather than things happening to them.
type A personality
-ambitious
-motivated
-fast talking
-aggressive
type A stress
type As have a higher level of stress hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline. this suggests type As are more vunerable to stress.
type B stress
type Bs contrasts with type As. type Bs are more laid back than type As
strength of role of personality
-hardiness and type A both provide targets for reducing effects of stress.
weaknesses of role of personality
-unclear what hardiness and Type A personality really is.
-hardiness and type A are measured using self-report questionnaires
bodys response to stress (GAS)
Hans Selye (1936) experimented with rats, subjecting them to various stressors. he found that it didnt matter what the stressor was, the rats body responses were the same.
-alarm reaction
-resistance
-exhaustion
alarm reaction
when the threat or stressor is recognised, the hyothalamus in the brain triggers the production of adrenaline/noradrenaline in readiness for fight or flight.
resistance stage
when the threat/stressor ends, functioning returns to normal levels. however, the stressor continues, a longer-term stress response starts using up the the bodys resources.
exhaustion stage
the resources needed to resist the stressor are depleted. the individual begins to re-experience the initial symptoms.
acute tress: SAM system
controls the bodys immediate response to an acute stressor- the fight or flight response.
chronic stress: HPA
at the same time as the SAM system is activated, a slower response starts. the bodys response to chronic stress. the hypothalamic triggers the pituitary gland to release the hormone ACTH which in turn stimulates release of cortisol from the adrenaline cortex.
weaknesses of physiological responses to stress
-stress is also affected by non-physiological responses
-does not help us cope with modern day stressors
short-term effects of stress and ill-health
-headache
-stomach upset
-fatigue
-indirect effects
long-term effects of stress and ill-health
-hypertension
-heart attack
-stroke
-indirect effects
strength of stress and physical ill health
knowledge of stress can help us prevent and treat physical ill health
weaknesses of stress and physical ill health
-there are gender differences in how people respond to stressors
-it is too simplistic to divide stress responses into short-term and long-term.
biological explanation of smoking addiction- initiation
a person may start smoking because of biological factors related to nic
biological explanation of smoking addiction- genetic predisposition
genes may be a risk factor for nic addiction. if this is the case we would expect to find that smoking runs in families.
biological explanation of smoking addiction- dopamine receptors
nicotine addiction involves neurons in the area of the brain called the ventral tegmental area. these neurons have receptors on their surfaces which are activated by molecules of the neurotransmitter dopamine.
biological explanation of smoking addiction- maintenance and relapse - role of dopamine
nicotine dependence develops as a nicotine molecules continue to attach to receptors in the VTA and dopamine is released in the NA, producing more pleasure and reward.
strengths of the biological approach- smoking
-the practical benefits in helping people to stop smoking
-evidence supporting the biological approach explanation of smoking addiction
weakness of the biological approach- smoking
- evidance is not everyone who starts to smoke becomes dependant on nic
learning explanation of smoking addiction- initiation
-parental and peer role models- the origins of smoking lie in social learning
-positive reinforcement- a component of operant conditioning
learning explanation of smoking addiction- maintenance- neg reinforcement
another operant conditioning concept. smoking removes an unpleasant sensation.
learning explanation of smoking addiction- maintenance- positive reinforcement
smoking offers a positive feeling.
learning explanation of smoking addiction- maintenance- classical conditioning
sensations include the smell of the smoke, the catch at the back of the throat, cig between lips and fingers. these start as neutral stimulus. but after being pared with the pleasurable effects of smoking the become conditioned stimuli capable of triggering a response on their own, without delivering nic to the brain.
strengths of the learning approach to smoking approach
-has practical benefits to help people stop smoking.
-evidence support (carter and tiffany 1999)
weakness of the learning approach to smoking approach
-cannot explain all nic addiction
cognitive approach- alc addiction- mitigation for current issue
can be explained by early experiences of trauma. people who suffered from early trauma may be experiencing psychological disorders. they may use acl to mitigate (relieve) their symptoms.
cognitive approach- alc addiction- specific effects
because self-medication is used to manage negative emotional states the choice of drug is not random. alc has relaxing effects.
strengths of alc and the cognitive approach
-self medication model is that it can be used to help avoid addiction
-self-medication model is evidence confirming the role of early trauma
weakness of alc and cognitive approach
-a lack of evidence for the role of specificity
learning approach- alc-positive reinforcement- initiation
this may be direct or indirect. alc activates the brains dopamine reward system relatively quickly. alc molecules attach to dopamine receptors on neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). dopamine is released in the nucleus accumbens (NA) this creates a feeling pleasure.
learning approach- alc- negative reinforcement- initiation
some people begin drinking alc as a way to escape stressful lives. avoidance of stress is a desirable consequence of drinking. this negatively reinforces the behaviour.
learning approach- alc- positive reinforcement- maintenance
drinking acl provides ongoing rewards which make drinking likely to be repeated. a related feature of maintenance is motivational toxicity.
strengths of alc and the learning approach
-opened several possibilities to treating alc addiction.
- evidence that negative reinforcement is an effective explanation of relapse
weakness of alc and the learning approach
-operant conditioning (reinforcement) may not be an effective explanation of alc addiction
health belief model
predicts the likely-hood of behaviour change.
1)seriousness
2)perceived susceptibility
3)cost benefit analysis
health belief model- seriousness
weather a person changes depends partly on how severe the consequences will be if they dont change
health belief model- perceived susceptibility
a persons belief on about their risk of developing a health issue
health belief model-cost benefit analysis
the perceived barriers might be the inconvinience.
strenths of the health belief model
-developing practical interventions to change health-related behaviours
-developed by health researchers and practitioners
weakness of the health belief model
-based on the assumption that people make rational decisions about their health behaviours.
external locus of control
a persons belief that their behaviour is a matter of luck or the influence of other people
internal locus of control
they believe they are responsible for what happens to them
strengths of locus of control
-locus of control and health is useful
-evidence support
weakness of locus of control
-health may be exaggerated
what are stressors?
a threat that causes stress
what is psychological stress?
the emotion you express when you are stressed
what is physiological stress
how the body psychically responds to stress
what is the health continuum
as the biomedical approach has been dominant, health and ill health have traditionally existed on a continuum and varies between two categories. you are either healthy or have ill health. this continuum has a less simplistic view
what is addiction?
a mental health condition in which a person takes a substance or engages in behaviour that is pleasurable but eventually becomes compulsive with harmful consequences.
what is behavioural addiction
occurs when someone compulsively continues a behaviour and experiences withdrawal symptoms when they stop it
what is relapse
reverting to an addiction after a period of giving up
what is tolerance
a decrease of response to a drug, so the addict need too take more so they feel the effect
what is withdrawal
a set of symptoms that develop when the addicted person stots or reduces their drug use
what are Griffiths six components of addiction
- dependence
- tolerance
- withdrawal
- relapse
- conflict
- mood altercation
what is genetic predisposition
genes we inherit from our parents that contribute to our health
genetic influences on health and ill health
genetics effect the likelihood we will engage in physical activity and therefore be healthier
what are neurotransmitters?
chemicals in the nervous system that transmit signals from one neuron to another across synapses
what are neurotransmitter imbalences-biological influences
for many reasons levels can become imbalanced, with various effects on behaviour depending on whether the levels are too high or too low
physical health and seritonin- biological influences
one reason why physical activity improves health through its effect on serotonin. serotonin is increased in several areas of the brain by both short, intense exercise.
mental health and neurotransmitters- biological influences
high levels of dopamine are associated with optimism. neurotransmitters imbalances have been linked to serious psychological disorder called schizophrenia.
strengths of biological influences
-correcting neurotransmitter imbalances us a useful way to improve health
-genetic predisposition is that it includes a role for non-genetic factors
weakness of the biological influences
-emphasising biological influences oversimplifes the causes of death
role of cues
healthy and unhealthy behaviours become associated with particular stimuli called cues. cues are important in healthy behaviours. during physical exercise, you might wear a particular item, of kit, which you associate with the pleasure of exercise. just seeing the kit might make you feel happier.
operant conditioning
a form of learning in which behaviour is learnt and maintained by its consequence
strengths of the behaviourst approach
-encourages real-world healthy behaviours
-there is research evidence
weakness of the behaviourist approach
-operant conditioning is only useful for a narrow range of healthy behaviours
vicarious reinforcement
when the observer witnesses a models behaviour and want to be them or get the same reward so they copy that behaviour.
