Stress

Question 1

Stress

Answer 1

• is the process by which we appraise and cope with the environmental threads and challenges.
• It encompasses both the stressor and the stress reaction

Question 2

Stressor

Answer 2

• Threatening/challenging event

Question 3

Stress Reaction

Answer 3

• subsequent physical and emotional response

Question 4

Appraisal Theory of Stress: Richard Lazarus

Answer 4

• stress arises less from physical events but more from the assessment/interpretation of those stresses/events.
• There are two stages:
  1. Primary Appraisal
  2. Secondary Appraisal

Question 5

Appraisal Theory of Stress: Primary Appraisal

Answer 5

• Assessing stress in present situation.
• 3 categories of response to this:
  1. Primary Appraisal
  2. Irrelevant
  3. Benign/Positive, or Stressful/Negative
  4. If primary appraisal is negative (stressful), move forward with secondary appraisal.

Question 6

Appraisal Theory of Stress: Primary Appraisal: Irrelevant

Answer 6

• I see the stress but it’s not important.

Question 7

Appraisal Theory of Stress: Primary Appraisal: Benign/Positive

Answer 7

• Example: Dog is chasing a rabbit. The bunny could be expecting Stress. A dinosaur takes out the dog – the rabbits enemy

Question 8

Appraisal Theory of Stress: Primary Appraisal: Stressful/Negative

Answer 8

• he stressor is actually threatening.
• Example: Rabbit having to run away from the dog.

Question 9

Appraisal Theory of Stress: Secondary Appraisal

Answer 9

• Evaluation of the individual’s ability to cope with the situation
• Harm: what damage has already been caused
• Threat: How much damage could be caused
• Challenge: How can the situation be overcome or conquered.

Question 10

Stressors: Significant Life Changes

Answer 10

• changes in your personal life.
• Example: Death of loved one, marriage, loss of job, having children, leaving home, etc.

Question 11

Stressor: Catastrophic Events

Answer 11

• A large scale event that everyone considers threatening.
• Example: wars, natural disasters etc.

Question 12

Stressor: Daily Hassles

Answer 12

• Seemingly minor events/hassles of daily life
• Example: long store lines, forgetting car keys, aggravating roommates, email spam, car engine burns out, finding dog poop on your carpet, and tire punctured, expectations not communicated well b/w you and your spouse, inability to let go of an unobtainable goal etc.

Question 13

Stressor: Ambient Stressors

Answer 13

• Global stressors that are integrated into the environment.
• Perceivable, but hard to control.
• Can negatively impact us without us being aware of them. Stuff we just put up with in our lives.
• Example: Pollution, noise, crowding

Question 14

Behavioural Effects of Stress

Answer 14

• Hippocampus - learning and memory
• Frontal Cortex: responsible for impulse control, reasoning, judgment, planning.
• Amygdala: Anxiety, fear, phobias

Question 15

General Adaptaion Syndrome of Stress

Answer 15

• is a midel describing how the body reacts to stress.
• It has three stages:

1. Alarm Stage
2. Resistance Stage
3. Exhaustion Stage

Question 16

General Adaptaion Syndrome of Stress: Alarm Stage

Answer 16

• occurs during the first few minutes of the stress response in which the sympathetic nervous system prepares the body to react.

Question 17

General Adaptaion Syndrome of Stress: Resistance Stage

Answer 17

• can lasts for hours (like exercise), days (final exams) or months (preparing for MCAT). During this stage the body attempts to resists the stressir and establish new equilibrium.

Question 18

General Adaptaion Syndrome of Stress: Exhaustion Stage

Answer 18

• occurs when a prolonged stress arousal with depleted energy, making the body more vulnerable to negative health effects (depression and hypertension)