Lecture 6: Stress and Health

Question 1

What makes stress stressful? (3)

Answer 1

1. uncertainty
2. lack of control
3. might be treated/evaluated negatively

Question 2

What is uncertainty?

Answer 2

you don’t really know what to expect, you can only guess what questions they will ask

Question 3

What is lack of control?

Answer 3

you have no control over what they will ask during the evaluation, what if you don’t know how to do something

Question 4

What is being treated/evaluated negatively?

Answer 4

The hiring committee doesn’t seem very friendly. What if they aren’t welcoming, or think poorly of you after the interview

Question 5

The same environment can be interpreted as nerve-wracking or exciting, depending on the person. This is because stress is…

Answer 5

subjective

Question 6

3 main categories of stressful events

Answer 6

1. catastrophic events
2. Major life events
3. daily annoyances

Question 7

The 3 stages of a stress response?

Answer 7

1. alarm - fight or flee: the brain responds to a threat unable to distinguish between being chased by a bear or being under pressure from finals week
2. resistance - fend off further attack: the immune system protects us; our heart supplies more oxygen to muscles to help us survive
3. exhaustion - out of fuel: body no longer able to physically adapt to an ongoing stressor; immune systems

Question 8

What is social support?

Answer 8

The degree to which people believe they can turn to other people for information, help, advice or comfort

Question 9

How can social support reduce the effects of stress?

Answer 9

provides positive emotion and a sense of stability, also can intervene in the process and provide support

Question 10

What is more effective for European Americans?

Answer 10

seeking advice from a firend

Question 11

What is more effective for Asian Americans?

Answer 11

Reflecting on an important social group was more effective