Psychology B1 - physiological responses

Question 1

physiological responses to stress

Answer 1

-when we don’t have resources to cope, become stressed
-key body parts = hypothalamus, pituitary gland and adrenal medulla
-affect: senses -eyes dilate
lungs - shallow breathing
heart - increased blood
pressure
stomach - nausea

Question 2

hypothalamus

Answer 2

sends signals to two areas of body, pituitary gland and adrenal medulla
-in the brain

Question 3

pituitary gland

Answer 3

-aids release of hormones, helps with stress
-in the brain

Question 4

adrenal medulla

Answer 4

-regulates body systems, heartbeat and breathing gets faster
-part of automatic nervous system

Question 5

three physiological explanations to stress

Answer 5

1. Seyle’s general adaptation syndrome
2. sympathomedullary system –acute stress
3. hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal – chronic stress

Question 6

Seyle’s GAS - stage one

Answer 6

-alarm stage
-physiological responses of the body = activated –prepare for fight or flight
-hypothalamus triggers production of adrenaline and noradrenaline

Question 7

Seyle’s GAS - stage two

Answer 7

-resistance stage
-stress continues, physiological activity = greater
-energy reserves (hormones + sugars) are used up
-body appears to cope, isn’t coping
-damage to heart/blood vessels
-parasympathic branch of the nervous system activated, conserve energy (restful)

Question 8

Seyle’s GAS - stage three

Answer 8

-exhaustion stage
-resources depleted
-adaption to stressor fails
-initial symptoms start up - sweating/increased heart rate
-adrenal glands become damaged, immune system compromised
-stress related illnesses are likely

Question 9

sympathomedullary system

Answer 9

-acute stress
-fight or flight response
-sympatha = sympathetic branch of automatic nervous system
-controls body + automatic responses
-medullary = middle of adrenal glands

Question 10

SAM - acute stress

Answer 10

1. hypothalamus activates sympathetic nervous system
2. ANS - parasympathetic to sympathetic
3. hypothalamus signals release of adrenaline
4. adrenaline causes physiological changes
5. stressor passes, parasympathetic restores body, normal

Question 11

Hypothalamic- Pituitary- Adrenal system

Answer 11

-chronic stress
-changes in body during stress

Question 12

HPA - chronic stress

Answer 12

1. hypothalamus releases CORTICOTROPHIN RELEASING FACTOR
2. stimulates pituitary gland, adrenaline pumped in blood
3. main stress hormone = ADRENOCORTICOTROPHIC HORMONE –> from pituitary gland
4. travels to adrenal cortex, stimulates cortisol - increases glycogen
5. lowered sensitivity to pain, impaired cognition, slower digestive system

Question 13

fight or flight response

Answer 13

-automatic physiological reaction to a stressful event
-activates SNS, acute stress
-developed in EEA
-helped ancestors deal with short-term problems, nowadays threats don’t fall into the same categories, still respond due to genome lag

Question 14

EEA

Answer 14

-Environment of Early Adaptation

Question 15

gender differences
(evaluation)

Answer 15

-most research carried out on men
-assume genders respond in same way -SNS + HPS
-women likely to befriend enemy or seek social support
-increase production of endorphins –> motivation to behave in a friendly way
-responses = different

Question 16

other explanations
(evaluation)

Answer 16

-fight or flight, new concept
-FREEZE CONCEPT added
-happens when coping mechanisms can’t cope with stress
-COGNITIVE PARALYSIS
-over thinking situation, situation can’t be dealt with

Question 17

fight or flight = maladaptive
(evaluation)

Answer 17

-maladaptive –> behaviour that interferes with individual’s activities of living or ability to adjust
-response today, doesn’t apply, not faced with situations
-stressors activate response regularly, puts strain on vital organ, not healthy when continually stressed