Selye’s General Adaptation Syndrome

Question 1

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS):

Answer 1

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS): a three-stage physiological response to stress that occurs regardless of the stressor that is encountered.
Stage 1 - Alarm reaction (with shock and counter shock) Stage 2 - Resistance
Stage 3 - Exhaustion

Question 2

Stage 1: Alarm Reaction

Answer 2

A general defensive reaction when first exposed to a stressor. It results in a state of tension, alertness and readiness to respond.
Shock: initially the body goes into a temporary state of shock
● Ability to deal with the stressor falls below normal levels
● The body reacts as if injured (eg. decrease in blood pressure and temp)
Counter Shock: The body then rebounds to raise its resistance to the stressor
● The Sympathetic NS is activated
● The fight-flight response is e dent

Question 3

Stage 2: Resistance:

Answer 3

(If the source of the stressor is not dealt with immediately, and the state of stress continues, energy is still required, so the body will continue responding in order to cope with and adapt to the stressor (resist it))
A more prolonged state of high arousal, characterised by additional stress responses, as a result of the continued presence of the stressor
● The body’s resistance to the stressor rises above normal (not as physiologically intense as the Alarm Reaction stage)
● Unnecessary physiological processes shut down (eg. slowed digestion, growth)
● Steroid hormones – in particular Cortisol, are released into the bloodstream. This helps to energise the body and have an anti-inflammatory effect.
○ Prolonged cortisol exposure weakens the immune system; meaning, while resistance to the initial stressor rises, a person may be more vulnerable to additional stressors
● If the stressor is dealt with at this stage the body will return to a state of homeostasis.

Question 4

Stage 3: Exhaustion

Answer 4

If the stressor is not dealt with successfully during the Resistance stage, and stress is not relieved, the body may reach a stage of exhaustion.
The final stage of GAS if the stressor continues and resources to resist the stressor are depleted
● Some Alarm Reaction changes may reappear, but the body cannot sustain its resistance and stressor’s effects can no longer be dealt with
● Signs of physical wear and tear, especially in organs that have been consistently trying to deal with the stressor throughout the resistance stage
● This stage may be characterised by fatigue, sleep disturbances, anxiety attacks, depressed mood, hypertension, gastrointestinal problems, heart disease etc.
○ Resistance to disease is weak, and there is vulnerability to physical and mental disorders

Question 5

Strengths of GAS Model

Answer 5

• Identified the link between stress and disease
  -Identified the biological process associated with the stress response
• Identified the non specific stress responses and its detrimental effects on the body
• Findings have been supported by contemporary research

Question 6

Limitations of GAS Model

Answer 6

• Doesn’t take into account an indi vidual’s response to a stressor
• Ignores the psychological(cognitive) responses to a stressor
• Not all people experience the same physiological responses to a stressor
• Most testing was conducted on rats