Minor - Psychophys

Question 1

What is stress/allostatic load? How is it measured?

Answer 1

We refer to allostasis to represent changes in body from homeostasis as it responds to threat. Allostatic Load describes when allostatic response is not turned off and the body breaks down it’s defenses (McEwen, 1998)

Stress measured via cortisol via saliva or blood samples.

Question 2

SAM Axis vs HPA Axis

Answer 2

SAM- activated during fight/flight, responds/peaks in seconds, quickly returns to homeostasis. Associated with challenge

HPA- activates after longer exposure to stress; reaches peak in minutes; slowly returns to homeostasis. Associated with threat

Question 3

Utility of Psychophys in SP? Weaknesses?

Answer 3

continuous measurement, covert/implicit measurement, pinpoint experimental events, indexing stress/threat/health outcomes, increase internal validity

weakness - infer to much; sensitive to contextual factors; logistics/cost; external validity

Question 4

Describe/Cite Biopsychosocial Model of Challenge and Threat

Answer 4

Blascovich and Mendes (2000)

In situations that are active and goal relevant, when demands are greater than perceived resources, I’s experience THREAT. when perceived resources are greater than demands, I’s experience CHALLENGE. These psychological states have distinctive CV patterns. PP methods can infer challenge/threat states

Question 5

Caccioppo and Tassinary (1990)

Answer 5

Identity Thesis - understanding bodily responses can inform our understanding of mental states and processes and vice versa (monistic view)