Stress Flashcards
Stress
Person-environment transactions lead an individual to perceive a discrepancy between the demands of the situation and their resources to cope.
Yerkes-Dodson Law
Low and high arousal reduce performance. An optimal level of arousal is best. This peak changes from person to person.
Eustress
Positive stress that optimises performance.
Distress
Negative stress that reduces performance.
Strain
Physiological and psychological response to stress.
Hassles and Uplifts
Small issues associated with daily living that can accumulate and affect wellbeing.
Burnout
Physical, emotional and mental exhaustion as a result of long term involvement in emotionally demanding events.
Physiological Symptoms of Stress
Increased heart rate and blood pressure, heightened awareness, increased respiration and hormone release.
General Adaptation Syndrome
Alarm - threat occurs (initial mobilisation)
Resistance - fight against stressor
Exhaustion - depletion of resources (can lead to illness)
Adrenaline and Noradrenaline
Clot formation, increased heart rate, immunosuppression.
Increased physical and cognitive performance.
Increased risk of CHD and Kidney Disease.
Cortisol
Regulates blood glucose and blood pressure.
Provides energy to muscles.
Increased risk of infection and damage to hippocampal neurons (learning and memory).
Stress and Immune Function
Stress hormones can supress immune function, making it easier for foreign organisms to invade.
Stress Reactivity
How negatively or positively someone reacts to stress. Partially genetic. High reactivity can increase risk of CHD and Hypertension.
Stress Recovery
How quickly levels of stress hormones return to baseline after stress occurs.
Allostatic Load
Cumulative wear and tear on the body as a result of chronic stress. Recovery becomes less complete over time.
Stress Resistance
Some people remain healthy even when exposed to stress (disposition, coping, social support etc).
Transactional Model
Environmental demands prompt an appraisal which the individual interprets positively or negatively. IE Cannot define an event as stressful because it varies for everyone.
Appraisal Process
Primary - initial appraisal of the situation
Secondary - judgement about the match between coping resources and the demands of the situation.
Reappraisal - based on feedback from the results of the first two stages of appraisal
Diathesis Stress Model
Emphasises the interaction between predisposing factors and environmental stressors.
Individual Differences
Affect and personality can influence levels of stress and strain (eg Type A anger in can lead to increased stress).
