Module 5: Stress and Health Flashcards
first stage of general adaptatation syndrome; characterized as the bodys immediate physiological reaction to a threatening situation or some other emergency; analogous to the fight-or-flight response
alarm reaction
psychophysiological disorder in which the airways of the respiratory system become obstructed, leading to great difficulty expelling air from the lungs.
asthma
stress-reduction technique using electronic equipment to measure a persons involuntary (neuromuscular and autonomic) activity and provide feedback to help the person gain a level of voluntary control over these processes
biofeedback
disorders that involve the heart and blood circulation system
cardiovascular disorders
mental or behavioural efforts used to manage problems relating to stress, including its cause and the unpleasant feelings and emotions it produces
coping
stress hormone released by the adrenal glands when encountering a stressor; helps provide a boost of energy, therby preparing the indivdual to take action
cortisol
minor irritation and annoyances that are part of our everyday lives and are capable of producing stress
daily hassles
bad form of stress; usually high in intensity; often leads to exhaustion, fatigue, feeling burnt out; associated with erosions in performance and health
distress
good form of stress; low to moderate in intensity; associated with positive feelings, as well as optimal health and performance
eustress
set of physiological reactions (increase in blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, and sweat) that occur when an indivdual enocunters a percieved threat; these reactions are produced by activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the endocrine system
fight-or-flight response
state involving intense engagement in an activity; usually is experienced when participating in creative, work, and leisure endeavours
flow
Hans Selye’s three-stage model of the bodys physiological reactions to stress and the process of stress adaptation: alarm reaction, stage of resistance, and stage of exhaustion
general adaptation syndrome
enduring state of mind consisting of joy, contentment, and other positive emotions; the sense that ones life has meaning and value
happiness
subfield of psychology devoted to studying psychological influences on health, illness, and how people respond when they become ill
health psychology
several types of adverse heart conditions, including those that involve the hearts arteries or valves or those involving the inability of the heart to pump enough blood to meet the bodys needs; can include heart attack and stroke
heart disease
high blood pressure
hypertension
set of structures found in both the limbic system (hypothalamus) and the endocrine system (pituitary gland and adrenal glands) that regulate many of the bodys physiological reactions to stress through the release of hormones
hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
various structures, cells, and mechanisms that protect the body from foreign substances that can damage the bodys tissue and organs
immune system
decreased effectiveness of the immune system
immunosuppression
general sense of emotional exhaustion and cynicism in realtion to ones job; consists of 3 dimensions: exhaustion, depersonalization, and sense of diminished personal accomplishment
job burnout
work situation involving the combination of excessive job demands and workload with little decision making latitude or job control
job strain
white blood cells that circulate in the bodys fluids and are especially important in the bodys immune response
lymphocytes
tendency to experience distressed emotional states involving anger, contempt, disgust, guilt, fear, and nervousness
negative affectivity
tendency toward a positive outlook and positive expectations
optimism
peoples beliefs concerning their capacity to influence and shape outcomes in their lives
percieved control
state or trait that involves pleasurable engagement with the environment, the dimensions of which include happiness, joy, enthusiasm, alertness, and excitement
positive affect
scientific area of study seeking to identify and promote those qualities that lead to happy, fulfilled, and contented lives.
positive psychology
judgment about the degree of potential harm or threat to well-being that a stressor might entail
primary appraisal
field that studies how psychological factors (such as stress) influence the immune system and immune functioning
psychoneuroimmunology
physical disorders or diseases in which symptoms are brought about or worsened by stress and emotional factors.
psychophysiological disorders
stress reduction technique combining elements of relaxation and meditation
relaxation response technique
judgement of options available to cope with a stressor and their potential effectiveness
secondary appraisal
popular scale designed to measure stress; consists of 43 potentially stressful events, each of which has a numerical value quantifyinh how much readjustment is associated with the event
Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS)
soothing and often beneficial support of others; can take different forms, such as advice, guidance, encouragement, acceptance, emotional comfort, and tangible assistance
social support
third stage of the general adaptation syndrome; the bodys ability to resist stress becomes depleated; illness, disease and even death may occur
stage of exhaustion
second stage of the general adaptation syndrome; the body adapts to a stressor for a period of time
stage of resistance
process whereby an indivdual percieves and responds to events that one appraises as overwhelming or threatening to ones well-being
stress
environmental events that may be judged as threatening or demanding; stimuli that initiate the stress reponse
stressors
psychological and behaviour pattern exhibited by indivduals who tend to be extremely competitive, impatient, rushed, and hostile toward others
Type A
psychological and behaviour pattern exhibited by a persoon who is relaxed and laid back
Type B
