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PSY1202 Introduction to biological psychology > Stress > Flashcards

Stress Flashcards

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1
Q

what is stress?

A

Situation that upsets an animal’s homeostatic balance

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2
Q

what is a stressor?

A

Thing that causes stress

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3
Q

what neuroendocrine protection systems are activated in stress?

A

sympatho-adrenergic system (SAS)

hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis

Together these systems orchestrate response to potentially harmful or even life-threatening situations

Involves bi-directional brain–body communication

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4
Q

stages of the stress response

A
  1. alarm reaction
  2. resistance stage
  3. exhaustion stage
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5
Q

alarm reaction

A

stressor is perceived by pituitary–adrenal system

SAS system prepares body for action: “fight or flight”

HPA system releases energy stores

Prompted by sudden, unexpected appearance of stressor

Non-specific immediate behavioural response: startle

Followed by specific behavioural responses (fight or flight)

Primarily linked to stimulation of sympatho-adrenergic system (SAS)

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6
Q

resistance stage

A

body attempts to re-establish physiological balance

if stressor persists, stress hormones and arousal remain high

If stressor is handled successfully, body restores homeostasis and feedback loops return stress hormones to ‘baseline’ levels (recovery)

May see reduced impact of stressor with repeated exposures

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7
Q

exhaustion stage

A

prolonged stress eventually depletes resources and exhausts body’s defences

stress-related illnesses develop

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8
Q

what phys changes accompany the alarm reaction?

A

increase in blood pressure

tachycardia (rapid heart rate)

tachypnoea (rapid breathing)

These are active coping mechanisms for controlling the threat

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9
Q

what does the alarm reaction activate?

A

brainstem nuclei

vagal nerve

adrenal medulla - releases adrenaline and noradrenaline into blood

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10
Q

noradrenaline

A

stimulates alpha receptors in muscle; contraction redirects blood to essential organs and increases blood pressure

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11
Q

adrenaline

A

has wider range of effects

raises heart rate

increases blood flow to muscles

reduces blood flow to skin and intestines

stimulates glycogenolysis by liverglycogen broken down to glucose → raises blood sugar

causes adipose tissue to release fat into the blood

widens bronchioles (air passageways in lung)

dilates pupils

assists body to escape from/deal with stressful situ

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12
Q

what else is the alarm reaction accompanied by?

A

Accompanied by activation of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis

ACTH stimulates adrenal cortex to release cortisol and other steroids

Engages slower-acting, passive coping mechanismsuseful when fight/flight is ineffective

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13
Q

adaptive redirection of energy in the alarm reaction

A

direct oxygen and nutrients to the brain

stimulates lipolysis breakdown of fats

stimulates gluconeogenesis production of glucose

inhibits growth and reproduction

suppresses immune system

contains inflammatory responses

enhances arousal, vigilance and cognition

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14
Q

what does severe, uncontrollable and long-lasting aversive events lead to?

A

sustained activation of the HPA axis

→ chronic stress

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15
Q

factors associated with the exhaustion stage

A

sugars are mobilised and energy is never stored - muscle wasting, fatigue, increased risk of diabetes

hypertension (high blood pressure) is maintained - damage to blood vessels

digestion is suppressed - peptic ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome

growth is suppressed - psychogenic dwarfism, bone decalcification

reproduction is suppressed - disrupted ovulation, impotence, loss of libido

immunity and inflammation are suppressed - long-term immunosuppression, increased disease susceptibility

cognition and sensory thresholds are altered - neural degeneration in hippocampus and pre-frontal cortex; impaired learning and memory retrieval

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16
Q

what causes stress?

A

Any stimulus can be a stressor if it is perceived to threaten homeostasis and activates the HPA axis

Most naturally occurring stressors involve a combination of both factors

17
Q

systemic stressors

A

(actual threats)

visceral nociceptors

somatic nociceptors

inflammatory signals

stimulation of baroreceptors or osmoreceptors

18
Q

neurogenic stressors

A

(anticipated threats)

lead to HPA activation in the absence of physiological challenge

anticipation/recognition of predators

dangers associated with novel environment

19
Q

example of interactions with conspecifics

A

e.g. dominance interactions in baboons Sapolsky (2005)

dominant male’s testosterone recovers more rapidly after stressful event

subordinate males display higher levels of circulating cortisol

Dominance behaviour often subtle—threats rather than direct aggression

20
Q

example of other subtle stressors

A

e.g. begging by meerkat pups Carlson et al. (2006)

adults’ long-term contributions to pup feeding are positively correlated with plasma levels of cortisol

pup begging both increases plasma cortisol levels and increases pup feeding by male helpers

21
Q

modern env stressors

A

leading to high rates of chronic stress

job-related- high pressure, long hours, inconvenient shifts

financial worries

transport- traffic jams, dangerous driving, public transport

22
Q

eustress

A

perturbation can be dealt with effectively; (beneficial) stress response quickly terminated once homeostasis restored

23
Q

distress

A

chronic hypo-/hyperactivation of HPA axis; may be harmful and lead to abnormal behaviour

24
Q

what tips the balance between eustress and distress?

A

Quality and intensity of the stressor

Characteristics of individual challenged by the stressor

  • genetic predisposition
  • past history/experience
  • age or stage of development

Interpretation of stimuli varies between and within individuals and may be associated with emotional state (e.g. anxiety, arousal)

25
Q

Yerkes-Dodson law

A

arousal improves performance up to an optimal point

past this point, performance begins to decrease

precise pattern is task-dependent

26
Q

Lazarus’s transactional theory

A

Dynamic relationship between

  • environmental demands (stressors)
  • individual’s psychological resources for dealing with them (coping ability)

A stress response results from a perceived imbalance between these demands and resources

27
Q

what was the beginning of modern research on stress?

A

combat stress in WWII veterans

Lazarus & Folkman (1984)

28
Q

forms of cognitive appraisal

A

primary

secondary

29
Q

primary appraisal

A

significance in terms of personal goals, values, self-beliefs

30
Q

secondary appraisal

A

ability to control situation and importance for wellbeing

31
Q

what does appraisal involve taking into account?

A

personal factors—goals, personal resources, beliefs about oneself and the world

situational factors—demands, constraints, opportunities and culture

32
Q

problem-focused strategies

A

attempts to modify the situation that is causing the stress response

planning

delegating responsibilities

33
Q

emotion-focused strategies

A

attempts to regulate the emotional response

seeking social support

stopping stressful thoughts

rationalising

avoiding

engaging in distracting tasks

34
Q

stress immunisation example

A

e.g. handling of rat pups - Levine et al. (1967), Liu et al. (1997), Mirescu et al. (2004)

handling by humans is a mildly stressful event for rat pups

pups handled early in life secrete lower cortisol amountsin response to range of stressful events as adults

after handling, pups are licked more by their mothers

offspring of mothers who exhibit higher groomingand licking rates are more resilient to stress as adults

pups deprived of mothers for long periods show elevated stress,associated with changes in adrenal steroid receptors in brain

PSY1202 Introduction to biological psychology (23 decks)

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