Psychology B1 - link

Question 1

link between stress and illness

Answer 1

-puts body into state of alert
-cortisol - supresses activity of immune system
-immune cells- white blood cells, lymphocytes, phagocytes –make up immune system
-lymphocytes - defend body against foreign substances

Question 2

suppressed immune system

Answer 2

-more vulnerable to illnesses
1. eczema
2. gastric ulcers
3. CHD
4. IBS

Question 3

antigen

Answer 3

-include toxins, chemicals, bacteria etc.
-only substance that causes body to make immune response against substance

Question 4

immune system

Answer 4

-organs and processes of the body, provide resistance
-main job = fight harmful substances that enter body –> defend against infection

Question 5

innate immunity

Answer 5

-host’s first line of defence
-intended to prevent infection and attack invading pathogens

Question 6

acquired immunity

Answer 6

-immunity you develop over your lifetime
-come from - vaccines, exposure etc.

Question 7

atherosclerosis

Answer 7

-thickening or hardening of arteries
-caused by buildup of plaque on lining of artery
-stops normal blood flow
-can cause heart attacks or strokes

Question 8

support for stress on immune system
(evaluation)
+

Answer 8

-stress suppresses the immune system
-Dereira et al. (2003), HIV in women
-women experiencing life events, likely to develop pre-cancerous lesions of cervix
-findings shows stress have suppressive effects

Question 9

short term vs long term effects
(evaluation)
-

Answer 9

-stress can enhance immune system
-Dharbhar (2008), rats to short-lived stressor, stimulated significant immune response
-protection against acute stress
-Heidi et al (2014), chronic caused inflammation, damaged mice’s heart
-relationship - stress + immune system + ill health = complex

Question 10

aims of Kiecolt-Glaser et al. (1984)

Answer 10

-study effects of a naturally occurring stressor (exams) on immune systems (students)

Question 11

procedure Kiecolt-Glaser et al. (1984)

Answer 11

-75 med students, gave blood twice, 1 month before exam and 1 week before exam
-pps brief symptom inventory - score of distress
-SRRS, measure life events
-pps into ‘high-stress’ and ‘low-stress’ groups
-loneliness scale, ‘high- loneliness’ and ‘low- loneliness’ groups

Question 12

findings of Kiecolt-Glaser et al. (1984)

Answer 12

-lower NK cell activity
-> 2nd blood sample
-> high-stress group
-> high-loneliness group
-> greater distress reported
during exams

Question 13

conclusions of Kiecolt-Glaser et al. (1984)

Answer 13

-mild chronic stressor = direct suppressive effect
-build-up of many life events, negative effect on health