Stress Flashcards
Lecture 6?
Describe Cannon’s (1932) physiological model of stress
The fight or flight response is a physiological response to a threat in which the ANS mobilises the organism for attacking or feeling an enemy (trauma responses).
Describe Selye’s 1956 General adaptation syndrome
Alarm is when the organism recognises the threat and mobilises resources.
Resistance comes next which is when the stress is prolonged, the organism copes with the stressor and adapts to it.
Then comes exhaustion , the organisms’ resources are depleted and adaptation fails.
What are some problems with Selye and Cannon’s models?
They ignore the individual variability and psychological factors. They have been criticised for describing the physiological responses to stress as consistent, regardless of the nature of the stressor . The models also describe individuals as passive - this may not be the case.
What do life events models of stress focus on?
Examines stress and stress- related changes as a response to life experiences
What is Holmes and Rahe’s Social Readjustment Rating scale ?
An extensive list of possible life changes or life events i.e divorce, going on holiday, getting fired. Indicates how likely an individual is to experience a related health issue in their lifetime.
In a study, 2,500 military members completed the SRRS and their health records were assessed over the following 6 months. The higher the scale score, the more likely they were to develop health issues.
What are some limitations of the life events model of stress?
- The individual’s rating of the event is not considered
- Influence of an individual’s present state of mind on their retrospective ratings should be factored.
- Is the outcome of a series of life experience necessarily a health issue?
Describe the transactional model of stress
Lazarus’ model of appraisal described individuals as psychological beings who appraise the outside world rather than simply passively responding to it.
What is the primary appraisal process?
Determines whether the environment is perceived as psychologically threatening, harmful or challenging to the person.
What is the second appraisal process?
A complex evaluative process in which a person considers resources available to cope with the primary appraised stressor.
What events are typically appraised as stressful?
Frustration, lack of control, conflict - incompatible motivations, purely internal thoughts, change, pressure, ambiguous events and overload.
What are the two types of stress?
Eustress –> perceived as manageable
Distress –> uncontrollable, prolonged or overwhelming
What is distress divided into ?
Acute stress - immediate response to a threat or challenge
Chronic = ongoing exposure to stress, may seem unrelenting
Describe the biological mechanisms of stress.
Stress activates the amygdala which contributes to emotional processing, sending a distress signal to the hypothalamus. The brain area functions like a command centre, activating the sympathetic nervous system by sending signals through the autonomic nerves to the adrenal glands . These glands respond by pumping adrenaline into the bloodstream, bringing about physiological changes
Why can the biological mechanisms of stress lead to medical illness?
The biological processes of stress are designed to be a short term process. So when these systems are active for long periods, it can lead to several medical illnesses.
Name some common stress associated illnesses.
Diminished immunity, headache, fatigue, weight gain, hypertension and heart disease
