Psychobiology

Question 1

Define stress

Answer 1

pattern of cognitive appraisals, emotional reactions, physiological responses and behavioural tendencies that occur in response to a perceived imbalance between situational demands (primary appraisal) and the resources needed to cope with them (secondary appraisal).

Question 2

Psycho-physiological and behavioural pathways linking stress and disease (basic outline)

Answer 2

1. behavioral changes in response to stress
   - -> e.g smoking more , drinking more, less exercise
2. physiological changes in the body
   - e.g world cup elimination = increase in MI rates

3.

Question 3

Health Behaviour and StressSteptoe et al (1996)‏

Answer 3

measures amount of cigarette smoking 2-3 months before exams and 2 weeks before exams

• low perceived social support = tend to smoke more

Question 4

Type A behaviour (key components) and relationship with cardiovascular health

Answer 4

compared to Type B (patient, serene, lack of urgency) Type A had greater risk of CHD

• mechanism:
• -> possibly poor health behaviours,
• -> increased physiological response to stressors
• -> increases endothelial dysfunction (maybe atherosclerosis

recent studies: Type D a(depressed) higher risk

Question 5

What is type A behaviour?

Answer 5

Time urgency
Free-floating hostility
Hyper-aggressiveness
Focus on accomplishment
Competitive and goal-driven

Question 6

Stress management (examples of components)

Answer 6

1. problem focused coping
   - active coping + problem solving
2. emotion focused coping
   - controlling feelings, positive reinterpretation
   - denial / acceptance
3. seeking social support
   - help and guidance
   - support group
   - “perceived social support”

Question 7

what is the difference between approach and avoidance as stress management?

Answer 7

Approach = activity that is oriented toward a threat (e.g. problem-solving, planning a response)

Avoidance = activity that is oriented away from a threat (e.g., denial, distraction)

Question 8

Stress is a stimulus / response / both

Answer 8

Stress can be both a stimulus and a response

Question 9

describe Flight v Flight response and Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome (3 stages)

Answer 9

stage 1
Alarm reaction
- SNS activated

stage 2
resistance
- HPA axis sustains fight - flight response

stage 3
exhaustion
- chronic –> compromises immune system functioning

Question 10

Effect of stress on immune functioning (again basic outline only)

Answer 10

wound healing is slower during time of stress

- decline in immune system function during exam period

Question 11

Describe the stress response physiology

Answer 11

acute stress = SNS activated
–> fight or flight

also activates HPA axis –> causes release of stress hormone cortisol

• increases blood sugar
• sustain activation of fight flight response

Question 12

how is stress associated with heart disease?

Answer 12

• anxiety / depression = risk factor in CHD
• research =
• greater cortisol reactivity found to be associated with greater extent of coronary artery calcification

Question 13

describe the association between branding and treatment of headaches

Answer 13

• branding helped to improve symptoms

- in both branded placebo + branded analgesic

Question 14

what is meant by the placebo effect?

Answer 14

The phenomenon in which a placebo - an inactive substance like sugar, distilled water, or saline solution - can sometimes improve a patient’s condition simply because the person has the expectation that it will be helpful.

Question 15

what is meant by the nocebo effect?

Answer 15

A negative effect that occurs after receiving treatment (therapy, medication), even when the treatment is inert/sham

• e.g Warnings about the possible side effects of a medicine makes it much more likely that the patient will report experiencing those effects

Question 16

what are the clinical implication of placebo?

Answer 16

• effect of intervention can be increased by the way it is presented to patients
• -> esp for conditions w psychological components
• placebo = no -ve side effects