Stress Flashcards
What does the nervous system do?
conveys messages quickly using electrical signals which pass along neurons
What do the messages sent from the nervous system rely on
chemicals call neurochemicals
What is the CNS made up of
the brain and spinal cord
What does the peripheral nervous system contain
Sensory and motor pathways
What do the sensory and motor pathways in the PNS do
They enable the brain to be aware of the world and to control responses
What does PNS stand for
Peripheral nervous system
What part of the peripheral nervous system is involved in stress response
Autonomic nervous system
What does the ANS do
connects parts for example connects the heart and the glands with the adrenal medulla
What does ANS stand for
Autonomic nervous systems
What connects the heart and glands
the adrenal medulla
How many parts of the ANS is there
2
How many branches of the ANS are there
2
Name the 2 branches of the ANS
The sympathetic nervous system branch and the parasympathetic nervous system branch.
Role of the sympathetic nervous system
Leads to bodily arousal; increases heart rate and blood pressure
What does SNS stand for
Sympathetic nervous system
Role of the parasympathetic nervous system
Leads to bodily tranquillity
Role of ANA
part of the peripheral nervous system, regulates internal structures and systems, maintains physiological regulation of body.
glands with ducts are
Exocrine glands
Glands without ducts are
Endocrine glands
Describe the steps of sympathomedullary pathway
The brain perceives a stressor and the hypothalamus sends a signal to the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system (ANS).
• The ANS initiates the fight or flight response, for example it increases heart rate and blood pressure.
• The ANS also causes the adrenal medulla to release the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline into the blood.
• These hormones bind to special receptors on the heart, further stimulating heart rate and blood pressure.
• Both the ANS and adrenaline also mobilise carbohydrates to provide energy necessary for the fight or flight response.
Describe the pituitary adrenal system.
- The brain perceives a stressor, and the hypothalamus releases CRF which travels to the pituitary gland.
- This causes the pituitary gland to release ACTH into the blood.
- ACTH stimulates the adrenal cortex to release corticosteroids into the blood.
- Corticosteroids mobilise fat and protein reserves stored in the liver to provide energy necessary to maintain the fight or flight response
Describe Kiecolt-Glaser et al’s study using medical students.
- This was a natural expt. Levels of NK cell activity (DV) in medical students was measured during the stressful exam period or 1 month before (IV)
- Social isolation questionnaire also completed.
- There was lower NK cell activity (DV) at high stress time, and the greatest reduction was in those more isolated.
Explain one strength of Kiecolt-Glaser et al.
The study used a direct measure of immune function (levels of NK cells) so provides stronger evidence of immunosupression than studies (such as Cohen) which study the relationship between stress and illness.
Evalute Kiecolt-Glaser et al. in terms of two weaknesses.
As a natural expt. there is an issue over causality: the IV was not manipulated nor extraneous variables controlled. For example perhaps there is fluctuation in NK cell activity: e.g. NK cells may be less active in the summer during exam time than in the winter and it could be this (rather than the stress caused by exams) which accounted for the results.
The results have been found to be unreliable. Exams count as a brief naturalistic stressor. In their meta analysis Segestrom and Miller found brief naturalistic stressors to have no overall effect on immune function.
Describe Segestrom and Millerng
They did a meta analysis of 293 studies investigating the effect on the immune system of stressors of varying duration. They found that: Acute time limited stressors (e.g. public speaking) led to upregulation (improvement) in natural immunity. Brief naturalistic stressors (e.g. exams) had no overall effect on immune function. Chronic stressors (e.g. looking after a relative with Alzheimer's disease) led to downregulation of natural and specific immunity.
Evaluate Segestrom and Miller
It was an extensive meta analysis of 293 studies, producing a reliable overview of findings.
Describe (or explain) the biological effects of stress on the immune system.
Acute time limited stressors lead to more immunoglobin A (an antibody) being produced. This leads to upregulation in natural immunity.Chronic stress leads to corticosteroids, produced by the adrenal cortex during the stress response, being in the body of long periods of time. They shrink the thymus gland where T lymphoctyes are produced. This explains the downregulation of specific immunity.
It also slows down the production of cytokines meaning that wounds take longer to heal.
Do males or females invest more in offspring?
Females because of female stress responses where they prioritise the safety of the offspring and maximise chance of survival.
What gender difference is there in the way men and women respond to stress today
Men have biological characteristic components called high cortisol responses which optimise physical performance.
What mechanism in the female brain promotes attachment behaviour?
Neurophysiology mechanisms promote attachment
What do phagocytes do?
Alerts other microphages to come and destroy the invaders. They activate helper T cells
What does the sympathetic medullary system do?
Body’s response to short term stress
The Hypothalamus releases noradrenaline in response to a stressor
Stimulates the adrenal medulla to releases adrenaline
These cause bodily changes that prepare the body for flight or fight
Increases heart rate and blood pressure
Non essential processes like Digestion is inhibited
What does the Pituitary Adrenal system do?
Bodys response to chronic long term stress
Hypothalamus registers the presence of a continuing stressor and stimulates the pituitary gland to release adrenocorticotrophic releasing factor (ACTH)
Activates the adrenal cortex (outer layer of adrenal gland)
Releases corticosteroids such as cortisol
Mains a steady supply of energy but also suppresses the immune system
What did Kiecolt-Glaser et al investigate?
Investigate whether stress of important examines has an effect on the immune system
What year did Kiecolt - Glaser do their research?
1984
What did Kiecolt-Glaser et al do?
Researchers took blood samples from 75 first year medical students
The blood samples were taken one month before their final exam (low stress) and during examinations (high stress)
Immune functioning was assessed by measuring T Cell activity in the blood samples
Students were given questionnaires to asses psychological variables such as life events and loneliness.
What were Kiecolt-Glaser et al findings?
Blood sample taken from first group (before the exam) contained more T cells compared with blood samples taken during the exam.
Kiecolt-Glaser’s conclusion
Stress (of the exam ) reduced the effectiveness of the immune system.
Evaluation of Kiecolt - Glaser
Natural experiment- real life situation so high ecological validity
cannot establish cause and effect
no control over extraneous variables like lifestyle factors
demand characteristics
Low population validity- sampling bias and all students so not generalisable
Define Life changes
Infrequent, major events
Examples of life changes
marriage, retiring, christmas
What year did Holmes and Rahe investigate into stress ?
1970
What did Holmes and Rahe do in 1967?
Developed a questionnaire called the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) for identifying major stressful life events. Each life event is given a score to indicate how stressful it is
What did Rahe investigate?
Whether the scores on the SRRS correlated with subsequent onset of illness.
What did Rahe do?
2500 male American sailors given SRRS to assess how many life events they had experienced in the previous 6 months. Total score on the SRRS was recorded for each participant.
Over the following 6 months of duty, detailed records were kept on sailors healthy status. Recorded number of life change units correlated with sailors illness scores.
Rahe’s results
Positive correlation of 0.0118 between life change scores and illness scores. Small positive correlation but did indicate a meaningful relationship between LCU and health. As LCU increases so did frequency of illness
Rahe Conclusion
LCU positively correlated with illness scores experiencing life events increased the chances of stress related health breakdown. As the correlation was not perfect life events cannot be the only factor contributing to illness.
Name the 3 types of stressor
Acute time limited
Brief naturalistic
Chronic
Example of Acute time limited stressor
Public Speaking
Mental arithmetic
Example of Brief naturalistic stressor
Students taking exams
Example of Chronic stressor
Caring for dementia patients
coping with long term illness or disability or unemployment
Overall effect of acute time limited stressor
Lasts between 5 and 100 minutes
Increases number of Natural killer cells
Upregulation of natural immunity (improvement)
Overall effect of Brief Naturalistic stressor
no overall effect on immune function
Shift from cellular immunity to hum oral immunity
Overall effect of Chronic stressor
Long lasting
Most consistent effects on immune function
Downregulation (reduces immune function)
Consistent across gender and age
What stressor leads to upregualtion
Acute time limited
What stressor leads to downregulation
Chronic stressors
What does acute time limited stressors make the body produce more of
Immunoglobin A (IgA) which is a antibody
What effect do chronic stressors have on the body
Leads to down regulation/immunosuppression
Cause high levels of corticosteroids in the blood which lead to shrinkage of the thymus gland and reduced production of T lymphocytes.
How does the immune system prepare tissues for repair?
Makes cytokines, which are proteins which initiate inflammation in the area of a wound
Inflammation is the first stage of the bodes healing process.
Stressors can alter the production of cytokines and slow down this process.
How do stressors affect the immune systems ability to repairs itself
Stressors can slow down the production of cytokines which are proteins which initiate inflammation in the area of a wound.
Cohen et al 1993 study
Investigated role of general life stress on vulnerability to the common cold virus.
394 ppts completed questionnaires on number of stressful life events experienced in previous year
Rated their degree of stress
Rated level of negative emotions like depression
3 scores combined into a STRESS INDEX
ppts then exposed to common cold virus, 82% became infected and after 7 days number of pots whose infection developed into clinical colds was recorded.
Results were chance of developing a cold correlated with stress index scores
Concluded that life stress and negative emotions reduce the effectiveness of immune system leaving pots less able to resist viral infections.
Cohen et al 1993 procedure
394 ppts completed questionnaires on number of stressful life events experienced in previous year
Rated their degree of stress
Rated level of negative emotions like depression
3 scores combined into a STRESS INDEX
ppts then exposed to common cold virus
What did Cohen et al (1993) investigate?
role of general life stress on vulnerability to the common cold virus
Results of Cohen et al (1993)
82% became infected with common cold
after 7 days number of ppts whose infection developed into clinical colds was recorded
Chance of developing a cold correlated with stress index.
Name the small structure in the base of the brain which activates the bodes two stress pathways
Hypothalamus
Name the two stress pathways
Sympathetic branch (SAM) and Pituitary adrenal system (PAS)
Which part of the adrenal gland forms part of the SAM pathway?
Adrenal Medulla
Which part of the adrenal gland forms part of the pituitary adrenal system?
Adrenal cortex
Which branch of the autonomic nervous system is involved in the stress response?
Sympathetic Branch
Which Structure releases ACTH during the stress response?
Pituitary gland
Which of the two pathways causes heart rate and blood pressure to increase?
SAM
What sort of illness can be caused by the effect of stress by SAM?
Coronary heart disease
Which phrases describes a response to stress more typical of women than men?
Tend and befriend
Which class of ormolus cause stored energy reserves to be released?
Adrenaline
What term is used to describe invading organisms such as viruses or bacteria
Pathogens
Which type of immunity is based on lymphocytes’ ability to recognise and destroy invading organisms?
Specific immunity
What phrase describes down regulation of all components of the immune system?
Global immunosuppression
Who conducted a study into Life Events?
Holmes and Rahe (1967)
Why did Holmes and Rahe conduct a study into life events in 1967?
Noticed that many hospital patients with heart disease reported significant events in the previous year. These events required adjustment and were put into a list.
How many aspects of Holmes and Rahe’s study were there?
2
What year did Holmes and Rahe conduct their study into Life events?
1967
What did the first aspect of Holmes and Rahe’s study into life events involve?
Devising the scale (SRRS)
What does SRRS stand for?
Social Readjustment Rating Scale, SRRS
Procedure of Holmes and Rahe’s first aspect of their study into life events
394 healthy people compared 43 life events with marriage in terms of degree adjustment necessary
Holmes and Rahe gave marriage score of 50 LCU
They calculated the mean LCU ratings for each event
What ranking did Death of spouse get on SRRS?
Rated 100
What LCU score did divorce receive on SRRS?
Divorce = 73
What does LCU stand for?
Life change units
What did the second aspect of Holmes and Rahe’s study involve?
Using the scale
What did Holmes and Rahe do in the second aspect of there study?
People checked off life events they had experienced over last 2 years
Scores for each event were added up and totalled to participants stress index.
What else was looked at in Holmes and Rahe’s study?
Some studies ppts were asked about illnesses suffered from past 2 years
But in other studies illness was assessed prospectively (looking forward, monitored over time)
Holmes and Rahe (1967) findings
Stress score of 150+ increased risk of illness by 30%
Stress score of 300+ increased risk of illness by 50%
Rahe et al (1970) study
2500 US sailors filled in SRRS for last 6 months
Followed up over next 7 months, all stress related scores were recorded and rated for severity, producing an overall illness score
Findings of Rahe et al (1970)
Statistically significant positive correlation of 0.12 between SRRS score and illness score
Methodological issues of Rahe (1970)
ppts could experience illness due to other factors like smoking and drinking rather than stress. Didn’t consider lifestyle facts of sailors.
Non experimental method using a correlation therefore can’t determine causal conclusions due to third factor possibly impacting
Methodological strength of Rahe’s (1970) study
Prospective study, makes sure that previous related illnesses don’t have an effect on a life event. Can make sure participants are not ill to start with so the life event isn’t effected as if it were when doing the study retrospectively.
5 evaluation points for life events
Individual differences- financial and relationship status
Self report- Opinions change and unreliable
Causality- Stress related illness, related but no cause
Positive Life events- People determine differently gd or bad
Dated and androcentric- Original study is old
Evaluation of the importance of life events as a source of stress
H+R don’t take individual differences into account e.g. a pregnant woman. Sarason’s approach overcomes this problem by asking participants to rate each event from extremely positive to extremely negative
Research showing a link between life events and illness is correlational but stress related illness’ like depression might cause life events to happen rather be caused by them. Rahe uses a prospective design which assesses life events then follows ppts over time to see if they develop illness’
- Dated study but recent studies have been done and updated figures and focussing on events which apply to both genders
- Many people experience stress but not life events- De Longis et al showed that daily hassles were a better predictor of stress related illness than life events
What is a daily hassle?
Minor everyday annoyances that cause stress
What are daily uplifts?
Positive everyday experiences that protect us against stress
Examples of daily hassles from Kanner and Lazarus’s scale
Concerns about weight Health of a family member Losing things Home maintenance Lots of things to do
Examples of rail uplifts from Kanner and Lazarus’s scale
Relating well to spouse or lover Relating well with friends Feeling healthy Enough sleep Eating out Spending time with family Meetig your responsibility
Reasons why daily hassles may be a more significant source of stress for people
They are more frequent and on going effect, some life events can be positive.
De Longis’ correlation between scores for Daily hassles and ill health is higher than the correlation between scores of life events and ill health
What was the aim of Bouteyre’s study?
To test a relationship between daily hassles and mental health
Procedure of Bouteyre’s study
Students moving from school to university completed a hassles questionnaire and a “depression inventory”.
Findings of Bouteyre’s study
40% of the students were found to suffer from depression symptoms in this period
Conclusion of Bouteyre’s study
There is a correlation between daily hassles and the incidence of depressive symptoms.
Evaluation of Bouteyre’s study
Population validity is low as students may differ in the response to hassles in other groups, need more evidence from other samples to conclude that DH cause stress generally
Who did a study into workplace stress?
Johansson et al (1978)
Sample of Johansson’s study
14 finishers in swedish sawmill, work was repetitive, machine paced
10 cleaners low stress workers, more control over workload
What was measured in Johansson’s study?
- Adrenaline levels (stress hormones) from urine samples of when at work and in free time
- Number of absences from work were recorded
Findings of Johansson’s study
Finishers have higher adrenaline levels in urine and higher number of absences than those in the low stress job
Conclusions of Johansson’s study
Repetitiveness, high demand/workload and lack of control were linked to higher levels of stress, which increased illness
Evaluation of Johansson’s study
- Measure of stress hormones in the urine is an objective measure of stress levels - reduces the chance of investigator effects and has higher validity than self report measures of stress levels.
- The results of the study were useful to real life - the researchers made practical suggestions to lower absenteeism and reduce workload - they suggested job rotation and allowing workers a higher level of control.
- The sample was culturally biased / ethnocentric as the study only used Swedish people who might find machine based work more stressful than other cultures.
Explain two strengths of using correlations in stress research
Correlational research does not involve deliberately causing stress but only investigating stress which occurs anyway. It is therefore ethical it does not cause any risk of physical or mental harm. Correlations usually involve analysis of data relating to real life situations such as how stressed people feel at work. This gives the method more ecological validity than studying stress in an artificial laboratory task.
Example of a high demand job with low control
Bus driver
Teacher
Example of a Low demand job and low control
Teaching assistant
Example of a high demand job with high control
Small business
What did Marmot et al investigate?
Marmot et al (1991) Investigated the relationship between job control and stress-related illness in 10’308 male and female (aged 35-55) civil servants.
Method of Marmot?
Over a period of three years the participants were observed and asked to complete self-report surveys.
Job control was measured through the completion of self-report surveys and by independent assessment of the work environment by personnel managers.
Records were kept of stress related illness.
Findings of Marmot’s study
It was found that participants who reported low job control were four time more likely to die of a hear attack than those with high job control. In addition to this they were more likely suffer from stress related illness (eg. cancers, strokes and gastrointestinal disorders)
The association was still significant even after the eliminating other factors, such as job position and life style risk factors (diet and weight).
Conclusion of Marmot’s study
Low job control is associated with high stress
It is the employers responsibility to ensure job control.
High job control will lead to higher quality and greater productivity and improve the general well being of the workforce.
Characteristics of Type A personality
Time pressured
Competitive
Angry
Characteristics of Type B personality
Laid back
Uncompetitive
Calm
You are more vulnerable to getting coronary heart disease if you have what type of personality
Type A
Describe one way in which psychologists measure Type A behaviour
One way psychologists could measure Type A behaviour is by using self-report or questionnaire which includes questions about time pressure, competitiveness, attitude to social or work situation and if they are easily frustrated.
What did Friedman and Rosenman investigate
Friedman and Rosenman investigated the links between the Type A behaviour and heart disease
Friedman and Rosenman’s method
Prospective study
Over 3000 American men between 39 and 59 were interviewed to identify whether they were Type A personality or Type B. They were monitored for eight and a half years and their lifestyle and levels of health were assessed.
Friedman and Rosenman’s results
After 8 and a half years, 257 men (out of 3200 California men aged between 39-59) had developed heart disease. 70% of these were from the Type A group.
Evaluation of Friedman and Rosenman’s study
- longitudinal study which does give us a good idea of the long term effect of personality factors on stress related illness.
- did not specify what aspect of type A behaviour might be responsible for heart disease. Later researchers reviewed the original data and found that it was ‘the negative behaviours’ such as hostility that seemed to be responsible.
- natural experiment which uses correlational detail so cause and effect cannot be established.
Population valididty- might be different for women, only used men aged 39-59, nationality
Was Friedman and Rosenman’s study prospective or retrospective?
Prospective, over 8 and a half years
3 characteristics of Hardiness
Control
Challenge
Commitment
Evaluation of Kobasa’s hardiness theory
Kobasa did not state whether all three factors were equally important, and further research has concluded that control is probably the most important factor. Much of Kobasa's research into the link between hardiness and stress related illness used a white male middle class sample, so it is difficult to say whether her results are generalisable to other populations. Research has only shown a correlation between hardiness and stress related illness, so we cannot establish a cause and effect relationship.
What did Miller et al do into research of Type A and B Behaviour
Meta review in 1996- Identified hostility as a risk factor
Reviewed number of studies and focused on characteristics and concluded that the hostility and other negative emotions was a key link between Type A behaviour and Coronary heart disease.
Is a person with a hardy personality more or less resistant to the effects of stress?
More resistant
Explain what factors have been found to affect responses to stress
Several factors affect how each individual responds to stress. One factor is personality, a person with Type A behaviour is often angry, impatient and competitive when at work whereas someone with Type B personality responds to stress at work differently. She is calm, patient and shows signs of commitment with people outside of work this is because they have a more hardy personality which makes them more resistant to stress.
Evaluation of Kobasa
population validity- only used business executives
Aim of Kobasa’s study
To test any link between a hardy personality and stress levels
Procedure of Kobasa’s study
800 business executives’ stress levels were tested using Holmes and Rahe’s SRRS and hardiness was also assessed using a hardiness test
Findings of Kobasa’s study
150 of the executives had high levels of stress. Those with low levels of illness (and therefore stress) were more likely to have scored high on the Hardy Personality test.
Conclusion of Kobasa’s study
Having a Hardy personality can reduce the levels of stress
What other study supports Kobasa’s conclusion about hardiness?
Beasley et al (2003) investigated the effects of life stress in university students. Students who scored more highly on hardiness showed reduced levels of psychological distress
All behaviour depends on patterns of
Electrical activity (nerve impulses)
What is the nervous system made up of?
Neurons
What is the gap between 2 neurone called?
A Synapse
When an electrical signal reaches the end of a neurone it causes what chemical to be released?
Neurotransmitter
What do neurotransmitters bind to?
Special receptor sites on the next neuron
When neurotransmitters bind to the receptors what happens?
It causes channels to open up and let lots of positively charged particles (ions) in.
What does the flood of positively charged particles cause?
It causes a new electrical signal in the receiving neuron
What effect does a neurotransmitter which makes positive ions rush in have?
Excitatory effect
What effect does a neurotransmitter which makes negative ions rush in have?
Inhibitory effect
What does the net effect do?
The net effect determines whether the neurone fires i.e. whether overall the excitatory effect outweighs the inhibitory effect or vice versa
What can drugs be used to do?
Drugs can be used to combat stress by reducing or eliminating the symptoms of the stress such as fast heart rate
What are Benzodiazepines?
These drugs slow the activity of central nervous system (e.g. brain and spinal cord) and enhance activity of GABA causing relaxation.
Two examples of Benzodiazepines
Lithium and Valium
What are Beta blockers?
These slow down activity in the sympathetic branch of the ANS by reducing levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline. This reduces blood pressure, heart rate etc. and produces a feeling of calm.
What effect does the neurotransmitter serotonin have?
Excitatory effect
What neurotransmitter has a inhibitory effect?
GABA
What neurotransmitter has a excitatory effect?
Serotonin
Which neurotransmitter needs help to do a better job?
GABA
What can be used to help GABA perform better?
Benzodiazepines
What subjective effect do BZs have on someone who is stressed?
Reduce stress and anxiety and make person feel calmer
Inw which part of the nervous system do BZs operate?
Central nervous system- Brain
Which receptor sites do BZs bind to?
GABA- receptor on the outside of the receiving neuron
What effect does a BZ joining a receptor site have on ion channels?
Opens channels to allow negatively charged chloride ions in
Makes neuron less responsive to other neurotransmitters
Why does making a neurone less responsive to other neurotransmitters help?
Makes the net effect negative, balances out
Evaluation of drugs
Quick acting in comparison to some other treatments (e.g. cognitive behaviour therapy).
Drug therapies treat the symptoms and not the problem itself. Therefore, symptoms may reappear when treatment is stopped.
Some drugs may have side effects, for example the serotonin reducing effect of BZ’s can cause depression. Aggression, short term memory loss and mental confusion are also possible.
Long-term use can result in tolerance (higher doses are eventually needed to produce the same effect) and dependence.
What does SIT stand for?
Stress Inoculation training
Who found SIT?
Donald Meichenbaum
What is SIT?
Stress Inoculation Therapy (SIT) is a form of cognitive behavioural therapy. The aim is to replace irrational and negative thoughts with more positive ways of thinking about a problem
Name the 3 stages of SIT
1) Conceptualisation - therapist helps the individual to identify their stressors and how they respond to these and how successful these responses have been. Patterns of self-defeating internal dialogue (i.e. negative thoughts) are identified.
2) Skill training and rehearsal - The therapist teaches the client coping skills that may be general or event focused. For example replace negative thoughts with positive ones.
3) Application and follow through - The client applies what they have learned to real life situations.
Normally how many sessions would an individual have of SIT
Between 8 and 15 sessions plus booster and follow up sessions conducted over a 3-12 month period
What is hardiness training?
Another method of stress management
Name the 3 stages of Hardiness training
Focusing- Clients trained and encouraged to root signs of stress, such as muscle tension, increases in heart rate and anxiety. Allows them to recognise stressful situations and identify sources stress
Reliving stressful encounters- Clients analyse recent stressful situations in terms of how they were actually resolved, ways in which they could have turned out better or worse. Gives insight into current coping strategies and how effective they are
Self improvement- Recognise and take on challenges we can cope with to confirm we still have control in our lives. Personal control and effectiveness is essential, begin with challenges the client can cope with before moving on to more complex problems.
Evaluation of Kobasa’s hardiness training
Theoretical issues- overlapping with issues of personal control
Generalisability- samples involve white, middle-class businessmen so results not reliably generalisable to women or different classes or cultures
Effectiveness and practicality- SIT is long and requires commitment and motivation , tries to address personality and habits of coping- hard to modify.
Name on weakness of SIT as a method for managing stress
One weakness of SIT as a method for managing stress is it is a longer process and requires commitment which is a disadvantage compared to drugs like beta blockers which reduce the physiological arousal within about 1 and half hours
Explain one weakness of drugs as a method for managing stress
A weakness of drugs asa method for managing stress is pshycial dependency which can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, tremors with headaches. However you can quit SIT as a method easily as its psychological not biological.
How does Mecihenbaum provide supporting evidence for SIT?
He found that college students gave more positive reports about how anxious they felt and performed better in exams than a control group with no therapy. SIT does appear to be effective in reducing stress
Meichenbaum’s aim of the study
To investigate how effective his own SIT in 1972 was. He believed that anxiety arises as a result of negative internal monologues we hold with ourselves when faced with a stressful situation which then influences a negative outcome.
What did Meichenbaum do?
Studied anxiosus pre-exam college students. He used a independent measures quasi-experimental method.
What were the 3 conditions of Meichenbaum’s study?
Condition 1: 8 weeks of SIT
Condition 2: 8 weeks of systematic desensitisation
Condition 3: No therapy- students were told they were on a waiting list
Meichenbaum’s findings
SIT group gave most positive self reports and outperformed other students in exams, students on waiting list remained just as anxious.
Meichenbaum’s conclusion
SIT as a form of cognitive behavioural therapy proved to be very successful in this case and is often shown to help reduce anxiety in stressful situations however as an example of CBT it only applies to anxiety and NOT depression.
Name a Beta-blocker
Inderal
How do beta blockers work?
They do not enter the brain but directly reduce activity in pathways such as the sympathetic nervous system around the body.
What do beta blockers do?
They reduce the activity of adrenaline and nor-adrenaline which are key agents in sympathetic arousal. Binds to receptors and stops it from being stimulated which will slow the heartbeat or response to produce less stress.
How do Benzodiazepines work?
They act by reducing central (brain) arousal. They enhance the actions of a natural brain chemical (GABA) by binding to parts of the GABA receptor which allows more chloride ions to enter the neurone and making it even more resistant to excitation
What does GABA do?
GABA reacts with special sites (GABA-receptors) on the outside of the receiving neurone. This opens up a channel that allows negatively charged chloride ions to pass to the inside of the neurone. The Chloride ions made the neurone less responsive to other neurotransmitters that would normally stimulate it.
What effect do the BZ’s have on the person?
The action of GABA is supported by the BZs which exert an extra inhibitory influence on neurons. The extra influence the brains output of excitatory neurotransmitters is reduced and the person feels calmer
Advantages of drugs as a method of stress management
Speed and effectiveness- work quickly and rapidly reduce dangerous symptoms such as raised blood pressure
Research support- A meta analysis of studies focussing on the treatment of social anxiety found that BZs were more effective than other drugs such as antidepressants.
Availability- Can be prescribed immediately. In addition , the range of treatments available is increasing.
Disadvantages of drugs as a method of stress management
Dependency- Long term use can lead to physical dependency. Withdrawal symptoms increased anxiety, tremors, headaches
Tolerance- The original dose has progressively less effect and so higher dose required
Side effects- BZs: drowsiness and affect memory, episodic memory. Beta blockers: people with asthma as they narrow airways
Only target symptoms- don’t tree causes. Not helping real cause of stress, helping acute stressors, initial shock
NICE report (2006)- beta blockers shouldn’t be used to treat high blood pressure can provoke type 2 diabetes
