Stress

Question 1

stressor

Answer 1

stimulus that causes stress and challenges our ability to cope

Question 2

internal stressor

Answer 2

originate from within the individual such as the experience of pain or the perception of a potential problem (biological and psychological)

Question 3

external stressor

Answer 3

from outside the individual from situations within the environment such as having too much work to do (social)

Question 4

stress

Answer 4

a state of physiological and psychological arousal produced by internal and external stressors that are perceived by the individual as challenging or exceeding their ability to cope

Question 5

acute stress

Answer 5

immediate and short-term stress, tends to produce a large stress response for a relatively short period of time. can be positive or negative

Question 6

chronic stress

Answer 6

long-term stress. could be due to stress that is ongoing or multiple stressors occurring together over a long-term period and is usually harmful

Question 7

eustress

Answer 7

positive psychological response to a stressor. elation, motivation, enthusiasm

Question 8

distress

Answer 8

negative psychological response. nervousness, anxiety, tension, anger

Question 9

fight, flight, freeze

Answer 9

Fight- confronting the stressor
Flight- escaping via running away from the stressor
Freeze- keeping still and silent to avoid detection

Question 10

fight and flight reactions

Answer 10

-Increased release of stress hormones (adrenaline and noradrenaline)
-Increased HR and blood pressure
-Increased breathing rate and dilation of airways
-Increased glucose secretion from the liver to working muscles
-Increased blood supply to working muscles and reduced blood supply to non-essential areas
-Reduction in activity of the stomach, intestines, salivary glands (reduced digestion and salivation)
-Dilation (widening) of pupils
-Stimulation of sweat glands
-Increased muscle tension

Question 11

freeze reaction

Answer 11

-May go into a motionless freeze state
-The parasympathetic NS dominates over the sympathetic NS
-The freeze response includes both energy conservation(parasympathetic NS) and readiness for action (sympathetic NS)

Question 12

role of cortisol in stress

Answer 12

-Cortisol acts more slowly and it’s effects are longer lasting than other stress hormones
-helps energise the body through the release of glucose
-helps the body at an elevated level of arousal, even after F-F-F, to deal with stress for longer period
-turns off bodily systems not needed to deal with a stressor
-With long term stressors, cortisol suppresses the activity of the immune system, which can be harmful for physical and psychological health

Question 13

psychological problems due to prolonged cortisol release

Answer 13

-impaired cognitive performance
-learning problems
-impaired memory formation and recall
-Depression
-PTSD
-Other anxiety disorders

Question 14

physiological problems due to prolonged cortisol release

Answer 14

-Colds
-Flu
-High blood pressure
-Digestive problems
-Obesity
-Hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar levels)
-Heart attack
-stroke