Physiology of Stress^

Question 1

What is stress?

Answer 1

something that happens to us due to a demand from envi
a transaction between us and our envi
perceived demans of envi > perceived ability to cope

Question 2

Stressor

Answer 2

any event that leads to the experience of being stressed

Question 3

Acute Stress

Answer 3

short term
immediate perceived threat
doesn’t need to be threatening
losing keys

Question 4

Chronic Stress

Answer 4

long term
body experiences intense stressors that an autonomic NS can’t activate the relaxation response on regular basis

Question 5

Evolution of Stress

Answer 5

not always neg - used as a coping mechanism
used to be a phy stressor but it more social and mental now

Question 6

Flight or Fight

Answer 6

response to stressor
coordinated pattern of bodily changes when faced with danger
pupils/blood vessels dialate
breathing/heart rate increases
digestion decreases

Question 7

General Adaption Syndrome

Answer 7

Selye
- “stress is the attempt by the body to adapt to a stressor”
Stages
- alarm reaction
- resistance
- exhaustion

Question 8

Alarm Reaction

Answer 8

perceive stressor = immediate ‘shock’
body’s resources decrease briefly before recovering
physiological systems are activated for flight or fight

Question 9

Resistance

Answer 9

body’s attempt to adapt to stressful envi
demands by resisting the stressor
physiological activity increase
use lots of energy
ind appears to be coping but resources are being consumed at harmful rate
parasympathetic NS activated to conserve energy for long term

Question 10

Exhaustion

Answer 10

adaption to a chronic stressor is failing
body’s resources are drained = resistance decrease
begins to re-experience symptoms of alarm stage
adrenal glands may be damaged
immune system compromised
disease of adaption are likely
- depression, increased blood pressure

Question 11

Evidence Support

Answer 11

Selye
rats subjected to various stressors (extreme cold)
same responses occurred 6-48h after stressor
can be tackled through resistance and exhaustion

Question 12

VS Evidence Support

Answer 12

Mason
replicated with monkeys
outcomes were dependent on the stressor
Challenge validity of GAS as diff stressors evoke diff physiological responses

Question 13

Limitations Of Evidence Support and VS ES

Answer 13

both used animal studies, so not generalisable as have diff bio make-up
eithical issues as harm on animals from extreme conditions