Lecture 5: Reading Flashcards
Question 1: What is the transactional model of stress?
Answer 1: The transactional model of stress suggests that stress is the result of the interaction between a person and the environment. It is not solely determined by the occurrence of an event but also influenced by a person’s cognitive appraisal of the event and the coping strategies they use to deal with it.
Question 2: What are the three stages of the general adaptation syndrome (GAS)?
Answer 2: The general adaptation syndrome (GAS) proposed by Selye consists of three stages:
- Alarm stage: This is the initial stage where the body reacts to a stressor with a fight or flight response.
- Resistance stage: In this stage, the body tries to cope with or adapt to the demands of the stressor.
- Exhaustion stage: If the stressor persists for an extended period, the body’s resources become depleted, leading to possible system damage.
Question 3: How does chronic noise impact human health?
Answer 3: Chronic noise can have negative effects on human health. It can result in increased blood pressure, cardiovascular problems, and higher levels of stress hormones. Children attending schools near airports, as well as individuals working in noisy environments, have been found to experience physiological stress due to chronic noise exposure. Noise also affects psychological and behavioral aspects, such as performance, attention, memory, and motivation.
Question 4: What is crowding and how does it impact individuals?
Answer 4: Crowding refers to the psychological state when a person perceives the number of people in their environment to exceed their preference. Crowding can lead to elevated physiological stress, negative affect, and psychological distress. It can limit social interaction, disrupt personal space, and result in social withdrawal. Living in crowded homes has been associated with negative effects on child wellbeing, academic achievement, external behavior problems, and physical health.
Question 5: How does poor housing quality affect human health?
Answer 5: Poor housing quality has been linked to higher levels of stress hormones, subjective stress, and mental health problems. Children and adolescents living in poor housing conditions tend to have worse emotional and behavioral functioning, lower cognitive skills, and decreased academic achievement. Conversely, improvements in housing quality have been associated with increased happiness, life satisfaction, and better development outcomes.
Question 6: What are the effects of poor neighborhood quality on individuals?
Answer 6: Poor neighborhood quality, characterized by factors such as inadequate municipal services, traffic, poor maintenance, and residential instability, can contribute to chronic stress. Residents of poorer neighborhoods often experience psychological distress and elevated physiological stress. There is evidence linking poor neighborhood quality to coronary heart disease risks, physical health problems, and lower subjective wellbeing. However, studies have shown that moving to better quality neighborhoods can lead to long-term improvements in physical and mental health.
Question 7: How does traffic congestion impact individuals’ stress levels?
Answer 7: Traffic congestion has been associated with elevated physiological stress, negative affect, and impaired task motivation. Commuters who frequently experience traffic congestion report higher stress levels. Prolonged commute times and frequent exposure to traffic-related stressors can lead to cumulative fatigue and negative effects on psychological well-being. Research has also found associations between traffic-related stress and workplace aggression, absenteeism, and negative social interactions.
Question 8: What are the consequences of chronic exposure to environmental stressors?
Answer 8: Chronic exposure to environmental stressors can lead to elevated physiological indicators of stress and have negative aftereffects that persist even after the removal of the stressor. These stressors can affect physical health, mental health, cognitive functioning, social relationships, and overall well-being. It is important to understand the impact of chronic environmental stressors on human health to develop strategies for mitigating their effects and promoting
