Stress

Question 1

Define Stress

Answer 1

the physiological and cognitive responses to challenges or life changes

Question 2

What are the two stages involved in cognitive appraisal of stress?

Answer 2

1. primary appraisal: initial evaluation of environment and associated threat; results in identification of the stress as irrelevant, benign-positive, or stressful
2. secondary appraisal: occurs if primary appraisal is identified as a threat; the evaluation of one’s ability to cope with the stress; evaluation of harm, threat, challenge

Question 3

Stressor

Answer 3

biological element, external condition, or event that leads to a stress response

Question 4

List common stressors

Answer 4

• environmental factors
• daily events
• workplace or academic setting
• social expectation
• chemical/biological stress

Question 5

Distress

Answer 5

occurs when experiencing unpleasant stressors

Question 6

Eustress

Answer 6

• result of positive conditions

- ex. graduating college, buying a house, getting into medical school

Question 7

What are the 3 types of conflict stress?

Answer 7

• approach-approach
• approach-avoidance
• avoidance-avoidance

Question 8

Approach-Approach

Answer 8

the need to choose between two desirable options

Question 9

Approach-Avoidance

Answer 9

deal with only one choice/goal/event but the outcome could have both positive and negative elements (ex. job promotion means increase in money but increase in stress too)

Question 10

Avoidance-Avoidance

Answer 10

choices between two negative options

Question 11

General Adaptation Syndrome

Answer 11

1. Alarm: activation of sympathetic NS, release of ACTH and cortisol, stimulation of adrenal medulla to secrete epi and NE
2. Resistance: continuous release of hormones allows sympathetic NS to remain engaged to fight stressor
3. Exhaustion: can no longer maintain elevated sympathetic NS activity, more susceptible to illness and medical conditions, organ systems deteriorate, deathq

Question 12

What are the 3 main forms of stressors? Give examples of each

Answer 12

• Catastrophes: unpredictable large-scale stressors, such as natural disasters and wartime displacement, that impact many people to a significant extent
• Significant Life Changes: are high stress events that occur with greater frequency than catastrophes, such as marriage, divorce, moving to another residence or loss of a loved one
• Daily Hassles: common irritations in life, such as scheduling errors; a mortgage deadline is an example of a daily hassle, as it impacts individuals regularly

Question 13

Ambient Stressors

Answer 13

common irritations that are present in one’s environment, such as noise or traffic, and can be related to daily hassles

Question 14

Diathesis-Stress Model

Answer 14

psychological theory that attempts to explain a disorder as the result of an interaction between a predispositional vulnerability and a stress caused by life experiences