Stress

Question 1

Cognitive Appraisal

Answer 1

Stage 1: Primary Appraisal

• • Irrelevant
• • Benign-positive
• • Stressful: threat present leads to stage 2

Stage 2: Secondary Appraisal

• • harm: assess damage
• • threat: future potential damage
• • challenge: confidence to overcome stressful situation

Reappraisal: after the initial round, reappraisal occurs to allow for continuous reevaluation of the situation as new information changes.

Question 2

Stressor

Answer 2

Any response to a changing biological element, external condition, or event

• • Eustress: positive
• • Distress: negative

Question 3

General Adaptation Syndrome – PHYSIOLOGICAL response to stress

Answer 3

model of physiological response to stress
Stage 1: ALARM
– activation of sympathetic nervous system
– release of stress hormones (epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol)

Stage 2: RESISTANCE

• • continuous release of stress hormones
• • body overcompensating above normal stress level in effort to fight or flight

Stage 3: EXHAUSTION

• • acute response remains prolonged
• • inability to maintain response
• • susceptibility to illness

Question 4

EMOTIONAL response to stress

Answer 4

moody, tense, fearful, helpless

Question 5

BEHAVIORAL response to stress

Answer 5

• • poor memory
• • difficulty concentrating
• • withdrawal
• • substance abuse
• • mental health disorders

Question 6

Coping and Stress Management

Answer 6

Problem focused: working to overcome the obstacle or challenge

Emotionally focused: changing your feelings about the stressor

Adaptive Strategy: lower stress while improving health and well-being (exercise)

Maladaptive Strategy: lower stress while degrading health and well-being (drugs)