Lecture 11 - Health Psychology

Question 1

stress

Answer 1

an unpleasant emotional state that results from the perception of threat or challenge

Question 2

the stress response is understood in what model

Answer 2

General adaptation syndrom with three stages (1. alarm reaction 2. resistance 3. exhaustion)

Question 3

Cognitive appraisal models

Answer 3

theoretical frameworks that describe how
individuals evaluate and respond to stressors

Question 4

stress and the amygdala

Answer 4

sensory input travels from thalamus to the amygdala which identifies dangerious stimuli, should stimulus be dangerous it communicates with the hypothalamus which commands the nervous system

Question 5

two systems used to mobilise the body in dangerous situations

Answer 5

sympathethic adrenal-medullary (SAM) system and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis

Question 6

SAM system

Answer 6

Initiate the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine into the bloodstream, which produces many of the immediate, short-lived, fight-or-flight responses to stress, such as a pounding heart and rapid
breathing

Question 7

HPA axis

Answer 7

initiates the release of cortison into the bloodstream, effects of HPA axis actiivy are slower to develop but last longer than SAM response

Question 8

epigenetics of stress

Answer 8

rate of expression of genes linked to MDD interacts with an individual’s quality of social experience, from adversity to support - stress in early life produces lasting challenges

Question 9

gender differences in stress response

Answer 9

Women are more likely to tend-and-befriend in response to stressor due to release of oxytocin

Question 10

Stress and the Immune System

Answer 10

Acute, short-lived stress enhances our immune response in adaptive ways, promoting healing and resistance to infections. Long-term chronic stressors reduce immune responses by suppressing
the activity of white blood cells

Question 11

Stress and Heart Disease

Answer 11

Type A personality are more susceptible to heart disease than Type B
personality.

Question 12

Type A personality

Answer 12

characterized by competitiveness, time urgency, high ambition, and hostility

Question 13

Type B personality

Answer 13

characterized by a more relaxed, patient, and easy-going approach to life.

Question 14

manage stress through

Answer 14

sense of control, religious beliefs, regular aerobic exercise, mindfulness, social connectedness and support, pets

Question 15

coping strategies

Answer 15

problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping, relationship-focused coping

Question 16

Problem-focused coping

Answer 16

to address specific problems by finding
solutions.

Question 17

Emotion-focused coping

Answer 17

helps you deal with the negative
emotions associated with a stressor and can be positive (sharing concerns or exercising) or negative (overeating, negative)

Question 18

Relationship-focused coping

Answer 18

helps you maintain and protect social
relationships in response to stress - seeking support from peers

Question 19

resilience

Answer 19

the ability to adapt to life’s challenges in positive ways

Question 20

trait associated with resilience

Answer 20

hardiness

Question 21

hardiness =

Answer 21

commitment + control + challenge

Question 22

positive psychology

Answer 22

approach to psychology that emphasizes
normal behaviour and human strengths which embraces humanistic emphases on human growth

Question 23

Traits that contribute to well-being include

Answer 23

hope, resilience, spirituality,
gratitude

Question 24

Hope

Answer 24

Expectation that your goals will be met in the future

Question 25

Resilience

Answer 25

not only serves as a buffer for stress but can lead to growth following a traumatic experience

Question 26

Spirituality

Answer 26

Recognizing things that are bigger than one’s personal
existence

Question 27

Gratitude

Answer 27

a positive emotion that involves recognizing and appreciating the good things in one’s life