Psychology

Question 1

What is psychology?

Answer 1

The scientific study of mind and behaviour. Based on research, experiments, observations and clinical trials.

Question 2

What are the 3 most common types?

Answer 2

Clinical - decrease psychological distress and enhance and promote psychological well-being.
Health - improve health and function.
Neuro - the relationship between the brain and neurophysiological.

Question 3

What is stress?

Answer 3

It is when evaluated demands exceed someone’s ability to cope. Can be imaginary, real, acute or chronic. A range of responses - physical or emotional.

Question 4

When is fight or flight triggered?

Answer 4

When there is an external threat.

Question 5

What NS is triggered during fight or flight?

Answer 5

Autonomic sympathetic NS is triggered.

Question 6

What happens in adrenal medulla during FOF?

Answer 6

Adrenaline is released that increases heart rate and breathing. It also directs energy away from unnecessary functions.

Question 7

What happens in HPA axis?

Answer 7

Hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis releases CRF which causes cortisol to increase which increases blood sugar levels and metabolism. Negative feedback loop so CRF stops being produced.

Question 8

What happens in chronic stress?

Answer 8

Chronic stress the HPA axis is dysregulated so elevated levels of cortisol = Cushing’s syndrome.

Question 9

Who came up with the general adaption theory?

Answer 9

Seyle 1956

Question 10

What are the steps of the general adaption theory?

Answer 10

1. Alarm - mobilisation to meet and resist the stressor
2. Resistance - try to adapt to the stressor
3. Exhaustion - individual repeatedly exposed to the stressor

Question 11

What is the social readjustment scale?

Answer 11

Every life event has given a score of how stressful they are. Assumes everyone has the same response. Over 300 is a major health problem.

Question 12

What are appraisal and coping?

Answer 12

Primary appraisal is where the stressor is benign and irrelevant, the secondary is where look to see if have resources to cope and re-appraisal is where reconsider situation once tried to cope.

Question 13

What is the perceived stress scale?

Answer 13

A measure of the degree to which situations in life are appraised as stressful.

Question 14

How does stress influence health?

Answer 14

By an indirect pathway - behaviour changes could be harmful e.g. smoking. Direct can cause physiological changes.

Question 15

What are some different types of social support?

Answer 15

1. Matching problem
2. Coping flexibility
3. Social support dynamic