Psychobiology

Question 1

what is stress?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

what is stress an imbalance of?

Answer 2

the perceived threat i.e. the situational demands and the perceived coping resources (secondary appraisal)

Question 3

what are the 3 stages of Seyle’s General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)?

Answer 3

1- Alarm reaction : shift to sympathetic dominance to increase arousal
2- Resistance: endocrine system involved. ACTH released to maintain arousal
3- Exhausation: adrenals lose ability to function normally

Question 4

what happens in the Alarm Phase of GAS?

Answer 4

activation of SNS and release of stress hormones to increase arousal

Question 5

what happens in the resistance phase of GAS?

Answer 5

resources are mobilised (and are depleted) by stress hormones – i.e. glucose

the endocrine system is active in releasing stress hormones to maintain arousal (ACTH secretion)

Question 6

what is the exhaustion phase of GAS?

Answer 6

increased vulnerability to disease in the weakened/depleted body state.

the adrenal glands lose their ability to function normally

Question 7

what is the General Adaptation Syndrome?

Answer 7

a physiological response pattern to strong and prolonged stressors

Question 8

what does the Yorke-Dodson Law describe?

Answer 8

an empirical relationship between arousal and performance, performance increases with physiological or mental arousal, but only up to a point. Stress is required to reach optimal performance but strong anxiety impairs performance

Question 9

what is the Type A behaviour pattern?

Answer 9

individuals who tend to live under extreme pressures and demand much of themselves and others.

Tend to be:

• goal driven, ambitious
• very competitive
• time urgency
• free floating hostility
• hyperaggressive

Question 10

what is the associated health risk with those with Type A behaviour? what drives this risk?

Answer 10

x2 risk of coronary heart disease (especially in males)

driven by negative emotions such as anger, cynical hostility, overreaction to stress

Question 11

how does Type B behaviour compare to Type A?

Answer 11

• serenity
• lack time urgency
• patient

Question 12

what is the pathophysiology in CHD in those with Type A behaviour?

Answer 12

stress/fear response leads to risky behaviour choices e.g. smoking –> they increase their response to risk–> endothelial dysfunction–> atherosclerosis

Question 13

what kind of characteristics do Type D behaviour people show?

Answer 13

characterised by social inhibition and negative affect (experiences negative emotions)

Question 14

what implications does Type D behaviour have on CHD?

Answer 14

under-reporting of symptoms leads to association with CHD events
the impact of a lack of social support also plays a role

Question 15

what are the 3 methods of coping with stress?

Answer 15

emotion focussed
problem focussed
social support

the strategy used is based on the nature of the problem

Question 16

what effect does depression have on CHD?

Answer 16

considered an independent risk factor

prognosis on mortality after 2 years worsens

Question 17

what can increase survival in illness?

Answer 17

social support:

- considered an independent effect beyond protective psychological role, comparable to quitting smoking

Question 18

what is the placebo effect?

Answer 18

when people are given a treatment with no clinical effect yet they report an improvement
- the patient has an expectation that the placebo will be helpful

Question 19

what is the nocebo effect?

Answer 19

people develop adverse symptoms that fit their belief models even when they have not yet been exposed to an active ingredient

– e.g. patient expects to get the side effects even if the drug is inert.

Question 20

why may using placebos be good?

Answer 20

chronic use of medication may be harmful as people begin to live longer lives e.g.opioid crisis

Question 21

what are the 3 main symptoms of burnout?

Answer 21

o Emotional exhaustion.
o Depersonalisation.
o Reduced personal accomplishment.

Question 22

how can stress be managed better?

Answer 22

 Organisation.
 Time management.
 Recognising stress.
 Appraisal review – e.g. role of perfectionism or self-criticism.
 Relaxation techniques.
 Social support.
 Formal support.

Question 23

what is cognitive appraisal?

Answer 23

refers to the personal interpretation of a situation that ultimately influences the extent to which the situation is perceived as stressful.

You will also consider the potential consequences of outcomes i.e. influences behavioural, emotional and physiological responses from this point on

Question 24

what effect does stress have on the immune system?

Answer 24

Stress results in an immunosuppression effect and in decreased wound healing time.

Question 25

what can enhance a placebo effect of a drug?

Answer 25

branding