Stress

Question 1

Two types of the autonomic nervous system.

Answer 1

Sympathetic and parasympathetic

Question 2

What happens when the sympathetic nervous system is activated?

Answer 2

Increased heart rate 
Increased blood pressure 
Pupil dilation 
Increased breathing 
Digestion reduces, blood moves away from the stomach.

Question 3

Describe the pathway for when a threat is detected.

Answer 3

Threat –> hypothalamus –> SAM –> activates sympathetic–> adrenal medulla—> releases adrenalin and Nora adrenaline—> increased blood pressure, heart rate, pupils dilate

Or

Theat–> hypothalamus–> PA system–> pituitary gland—> ACTH–> adrenal cortex —> releases cortisol—> releases stored glucose, suppression of immune system.

Question 4

SBEUC

Answer 4

SHRINK thymus gland 
disrupted BALANCE of immune system
worsen skin conditions like ECZEMA.
cause us to eat UNHEALTHILY
increase the risk of CANCER

Question 5

Kiecolt + Glaser

Answer 5

1984
75 medical students, before and first day of exams
Blood samples taken, natural killer T cell activity measured. Also questionnaires.
Natural killer cell activity was significantly lower on first day.
Also those who scored low on life events and loneliness were lower anyway.

Question 6

Riley

Answer 6

1981 mice study
Turntable 5 hours- lymphocyte count significantly lower in rotated group.
Later study, injected with cancer, rotated 10 mins per hour for 3 days.
Rotated group, larger tumours.

Question 7

Kiecolt and Glaser

Answer 7

2005
42 married couples, blister wound
Wounds healed slower after conflict discussions
Repeated measures

Question 8

Gerra

Answer 8

2003
People who had been unexpectedly bereaved and control group.
I immune function was assessed using blood samples 40days and 6 months after bereavement.
Significantly lower natural killer cell activity in bereaved group.

Question 9

Johansson

Answer 9

1978
14 finishers 10 cleaners
Measured adrenaline in urine and days of work
Finishers had more adrenaline in their urine, higher activation of SAM. Also had more stress related illnesses, e.g headaches.

Question 10

Marmot et al

Answer 10

1997 Lack of control
5 year study
7,000 men, women (35-55yrs)
Civil servants in London
Control was measured using questionnaires and self report. CHD was measure using self report of chest pains and doctor diagnosis.
Low control at work was significantly related to CHD better predictor than other risk factors.

Question 11

What is the definition of stress?

Answer 11

The perceived demands of the situation exceed the perceived ability to cope.

Question 12

Holmes and Rahe

Answer 12

1967
Life changes scale
Social readjustment rating scale ( SRRS )

Question 13

Rahe

Answer 13

1970
2,500 sailors answered the SRRS. Over the next six months medical records were checked.
found a 0.118 positive correlation between life changes and health records.

Question 14

De longis et al

Answer 14

1982 life events vs daily hassles
109 participants (45+) looked at over a year
Self report questionnaires using hassles scale and life events scale.
Health questionnaire
High correlation between hassles and poor health and stronger than the correlation between poor health and life events.

Question 15

Hassles

Answer 15

Lead to a feeling of lack of control
Also they accumulate over a long period of time
Hassles can also amplify the effect of life changes
Less sympathy from hassles

Question 16

Friedman and Roseman

Answer 16

1974
3,200 men (39-59yrs) followed up after 8yrs
Personality was assessed using a structured interview either
type A,B,X
Type A, twice as more likely to contract heart disease.
Even when other factors were taken into account.

Question 17

Lee and Watanuki

Answer 17

2007
14 type A 16 type B students
Show. Pictures of forests (relaxing) then car accidents (stressful)
Measured heart rate and timed how long it stayed high.
Found that type A showed a higher heart rate when shown stressful images (More reactive SAM). Took longer to return to baseline.

Question 18

What does the hardy personality involve?

Answer 18

Control
Commitment
Challenge

Question 19

Kobassa

Answer 19

1979
150 male business executives who had scored highly on the (SRRS). The men were then given a measure of hardiness.
There medical records were checked. It was found that those with less days of work, due to illness, had a more hardy personality.

Question 20

How do BZs work?

Answer 20

Enhance the activity of GABA, which is an important inhibitory neurotransmitter. If the action of GABA is enhanced the nervous system calms down, and reduce the stress response.

Question 21

Davidson

Answer 21

1993
75 patients with social anxiety. BZs or placebos. Followed up 2yrs later.
78% of those treated with BZs reported improved symptoms
20% of placebo group

Question 22

Strengths and limitations of BZs.

Answer 22

Strengths:
Work quickly
Less risks if patients overdose

Weaknesses
Side effects (drowsiness)
Addictive

Question 23

How do beta-blockers work?

Answer 23

Do not act directly on the brain, reduce the activity of the sympathetic branch by damping down the activity of adrenaline and noradrenaline.

Question 24

Gates

Answer 24

1985
34 singers placebo or BBs
Low doses of BBs produced only small improvements and high doses significantly impaired performance, compared to placebo.

Question 25

Strengths and weaknesses of BBs

Answer 25

Less side affects

Sleep problems
Blocking symptoms of stress rather than causes

Question 26

Stress inoculation training (SIT)

Answer 26

Michenbaum 1980
Three phases
Conceptualisation-> keeping a diary, analysing stressful situations
Skills training ->adapting maladaptive thoughts, relaxing training
Application-> gradually putting new skills and thought patterns to use.

Question 27

Michenbaum

Answer 27

1977
Treated people with a phobia of rats and snakes. Treated with SIT or systematic desensitisation. At the end measured levels of fear.
SIT effective, reduced fear of non treated phobia as well.

Question 28

Foa

Answer 28

1999
Treated women who experienced physical or sexual assault, diagnosed with PTSD. Treated with either SIT or prolonged exposure.
Assessed severity of PTSD symptoms.
Both reduce symptoms, but prolonged exposure was more effective in reducing anxiety symptoms.