Module 8 Flashcards
what is stress
stress is the psychological and physiological consequence that challenge a person’s ability to cope and which threaten or interfere with important goals
What are stressors
Life events that cause stress
Eustress
not all stress is harmful. This kind of stress motivates us and can improve the quality of our life
Distress
When stress passes the limit for it to be positive. Can experience burning out, fatigued exhausted and performance begins to decline
Primary appraisal
involves judgment about the degree of potential harm or threat to well-being that a stressor might give
Secondary appraisal
judgement of the options available to cope with a stressor, as well as perceptions of how effective such options will be.
GAS
General Adaptive system - a model of the response to chronic stress
Phase 1 of GAS
Alarm - the activation of the sympathetic nervous system and endocrine system, which allow stress related hormones, such as adrenaline to be pumped into blood
Phase 2 of GAS
Resistance - the individual resists the stressful condition for as long as possible by coping and adapting to the best of their ability. Body is aroused
Phase 3 of GAS
Exhaustion - The organism is literally run down and fatigue is inevitable. Body no longer has energy available to mobilize even for the nonemergency activities
4 categories of stressors
Traumatic events, Life changes, Hassles and Occupation related stressors
Traumatic events
situations in which a person is exposed to actual or threatened death or serious injury.
Life Changes
situations that require us to make changes in our ongoing lives and require time as we adjust to those changes.
Hassles
Daily hassles—the minor irritations and annoyances that are part of our everyday lives
Occupational related stressors
situations in which one is frequently exposed to challenging and unpleasant events, such as difficult, demanding, or unsafe working conditions
Psychophysiological Disorders
Physical disorders or diseases whose symptoms are brought about or worsened by stress and emotional factors are called psychophysiological disorders.
Coping
processes by which we ensure that the demands of potentially stressful situations do not overwhelm our psychological or material resources. Coping can be adaptive or maladaptive
Problem-focused coping
one attempts to manage or alter the problem that is causing one to experience stress (i.e., the stressor) they typically involve identifying the problem, considering possible solutions, weighing the costs and benefits of these solutions, and then selecting an alternative
Emotion-focused coping:
consists of efforts to change or reduce the negative emotions associated with stress. These efforts may include avoiding, minimizing, or distancing oneself from the problem, or positive comparisons with others
Perceived control
our beliefs about our personal capacity to exert influence over and shape outcomes, and it has major implications for our health and happiness
Explanatory style
how we explain the good and bad events of our lives and make predictions about the future based on these explanations. People can be divided into optimists and pessimists
Optimism
people whose explanations for bad events involve perceptions of the events as external, temporary, and surmountable. The good news is that we can learn to be optimistic.
Pessimism
people whose explanations for bad events involve perceptions of the events as internal, permanent, and catastrophic.
Aerobic exercise
is any physical exercise involving large muscle groups which increases oxygen consumption and elevates heart rate
Relaxation response
is any self-induced alteration in consciousness that results in decreased physiological and psychological arousal, and increased attention to the moment
Meditation
Meditation has been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and increase positive mood; it may even reduce mortality from heart disease and other ailments.
Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)
is a form of meditation training that has been shown to activate parts of the brain associated with positive emotion and to strengthen immune response
Social support
is the perception or experience that one is loved, esteemed, and cared for by others, and is part of a network of people who engage in mutual assistance and accept mutual obligations to one another.
Religion & spiritual life
Those who attend communal religious services and meetings, or who describe themselves as turning to religion to help them cope in times of stress, tend to be healthier, happier, and to live longer than those who do not
Pet ownership
number of studies have linked pet ownership to lowered stress, cholesterol, and blood pressure; and to better recovery following heart attacks and stressful experiences of social rejection.
