SELYES GENERAL ADAPTATION SYNDROME Flashcards
Stress as a biological process
a biological model involving three stages of physiological reactions
that a person experiences in response to a persistent stressor
2 stages of alarm reaction
shock and countershock
Alarm reaction
-the 1st stage
-involving the initial decrease and subsequent increase in bodily
arousal in response to an immediate stressor
Shock
-1st substage
-involving decreased bodily arousal for a brief period of time following the initial exposure to a stressor
Counter shock
-2nd substage
-which sympathetic nervous system responses occur that mobilise the
body to respond to the stressor
Resistance
-2nd stage of GAS
-involving maintaining high levels of bodily arousal in response to a persistent stressor
-bodily resources are used at an increased rate
-heightened physiological state
Exhaustion
-3rd stage of GAS
-depletion of energy levels and bodily resources
-results in inability to cope with the stressor
-can no longer cope with the demands of the stressor
-cortisol and other stress hormones have been present in the bloodstream for a prolonged period of time, suppressing immune system
-eg. depression, anxiety, high blood pressure.
Shock example, car crash
-freezes and momentarily unable to think
counter shock example, car crash
-intense sympathetic nervous system,
-heart pounding, lots of adrenaline
Resistance example, car crash
-begins working to pay off damage
-increased head aches from increased work
exhaustion example, car crash
-cant pay the car
-starts to crash out
-feeling tense and anxious and sick everyday.
Strengths of the GAS model
-explaining the stress response
from a biological perspective.
-predictable pattern
-relationship between chronic stress and illness
Limitations of the GAS model
-was conducted on rats
-only focusses on biological aspects of stress
-fails to recognise the subjective nature of stress response.
