Measuring stress Flashcards
GEER AND MAISEL 1972
(Describe one physiological measure of stress)
Background
Physiological measures of stress include the use of mechanical equipment to take measurements of blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate or galvanic skin response.
Biochemical analysis can also be conducted on urine and blood to look at hormone levels associated with stress such as cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine.
GEER AND MAISEL 1972
Aim
To see if perceived control or actual control can reduce stress reactions to averse stimuli.
GEER AND MAISEL 1972
Method and design
Lab experiment using independent measures.
GEER AND MAISEL 1972
Participants
60 psychology undergraduates at NY uni.
GEER AND MAISEL 1972
Procedure
Participants shown photos of dead car crash victims and stress levels measured by GSR and heart rate through ECG.
Randomly allocated to one of three groups.
1. Given control of how long they looked at images for, press button to terminate and tone would precede new image.
2. Warned photos would be 60 seconds apart, would see each for 35 seconds, 10 second warning tone precede each. Had no control but knew what was happening.
3. Told they would see photos and hear tones from time to time, no control.
Each participant in a sound proofed room wired up to GSR and ECG, calibrated for 5 mins while participant relaxed to get baseline. Instructions read to them specific to each group. GSR was taken on onset of tone, during the second half of tone and in response to photo.
GEER AND MAISEL 1972
Results
Group 2 showed most stress.
Group 1 showed least stress.
ECG discarded.
GEER ANS MAISEL 1972
Conclusion
Having control over environment can reduce stress responses.
HOLMES AND RAHE 1967
(Describe self report as a measure of stress)
Background
Self report can be used to measure stress such as the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS), developed by Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe. Containing a list of events that could happen that would require some degree of psychological adjustment and so causing stress.
HOLMES AND RAHE 1967
Aim
To create a method that estimates the extent to which life events are stressors.
HOLMES AND RAHE 1967
Method
Self report using questionnaire designed to ascertain how much each life event was felt to be a stressor.
HOLMES AND RAHE 1967
Participants
- 179 males, 215 females.
HOLMES AND RAHE 1967
Procedure
Each participant asked to rate a series of 43 life events, the ratings could be on own experiences or perceptions of other people’s. Amount of adjustment and time taken was considered.
Marriage was given an arbitrary rating of 50 and each event was to be judged as requiring more or less readjustment.
HOLMES AND RAHE 1967
Results
Their mean scores allowed a final SRRS to be completed showing correlations in all groups but one; less correlation between white and black people.
HOLMES AND RAHE 1967
Conclusion
The degree of similarity between different groups is impressive and shows agreement in general of what constitutes a life event and how much they cause stress. There are some socially desirable events which reflect western values of materialism, success and conformism.
JOHANSSON 1978
(Combined approach to measuring stress)
Background
Combined approach to measure stress uses physiological measures and self report. This means both data can be gathered making it more holistic.
