Stress Flashcards
1
Q
Definition of stressor?
A
- threatening/demanding event/situation
- triggers the stress response
2
Q
Definition of stress response?
A
-coordinated physiological, psychological and behavioural changes
3
Q
What are the 2 neuroendocrine protection systems involved in stress response?
A
- sympatho-adrenergic system (SAS): rapid, short-term response that’s mediated by catecholamines, nerve impulses travel from hypothalamus to the adrenal medulla that when stimulated releases the catecholamines
- hypothalamic-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis: longer-term response that’s mediated by glucocorticoids, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) activates the cells of the anterior pituitary which releases ACTH into the blood where it targets the adrenal cortex
4
Q
What are the stages of the stress response?
A
- alarm reaction
- resistance stage
- exhaustion stage
5
Q
What happens in the alarm reaction stage?
A
- prompted by sudden, unexpected appearance of stressor
- non-specific immediate behavioural response of startle that’s followed by specific behavioural responses (fight/flight) (SAS system prepares body for action)
- accompanied by physiological changes: increase in blood pressure, rapid heart rate and breathing
- adrenal medulla releases adrenaline (assists body to escape from/deal with situation) and noradrenaline (stimulates alpha receptors in muscle which when contracted redirects blood to essential organs) into blood
- adaptive redirection of energy (to the brain) which enhances arousal, vigilance and cognition
6
Q
What happens in the resistance stage?
A
- body attempts to re-establish physiological balance
- if stressor persists the stress hormones and arousal remain high but if handled then the stages end at this point of recovery (body has restored homeostasis)
7
Q
What happens in the exhaustion stage?
A
- prolonged stress eventually depletes resources and exhausts body’s defences and stress-related illnesses develop
- sugars are mobilised and energy is never stored
- hypertension is maintained
- digestion is suppressed
- growth is suppressed
- reproduction is suppressed
- immunity and inflammation is suppressed
- cognition and sensory thresholds are altered
8
Q
What triggers the stress response?
A
- any stimulus can be a stressor if it’s perceived to threaten homeostasis and activates HPA axis
- systemic stressors
- neurogenic stressors
- most naturally occurring involve a combination
- stressors in modern environments can be difficult to avoid and lead to high rates of chronic stress: job-related, financial worries, transport, global pandemic/environmental destruction
9
Q
What are systemic stressors?
A
- actual threats
- visceral nociceptors
- somatic nociceptors
- inflammatory signals
- stimulation of baroreceptors/osmoreceptors
10
Q
What are neurogenic stressors
A
- anticipated threats
- lead to HPA activation in the absence of physiological challenge
- anticipation/recognition of predators
- dangers associated with novel environment
11
Q
What is eustress and distress?
A
- eustress: perturbation can be dealt with effectively, partly beneficial stress response quickly terminated once homeostasis restored
- distress: chronic hypo/hyperactivation of HPA axis, may be harmful and lead to abnormal behaviour
12
Q
What determines whether it’s eustress or distress?
A
- quality of stressor
- intensity of the stressor
- characteristics of individual challenged by the stressor: genetic predisposition, past history/experience, age/stage of development
13
Q
What is the Yerkes-Dodson law?
A
- being a little stressed can be useful
- arousal improves performance up to an optimal point
- past that point, performance begins to decrease
- precise pattern is task-dependent
14
Q
What is Lazarus’ transactional theory?
Lazarus (1966), Lazarus & Folkman (1984)
A
- dynamic relationship between environmental demands and individual psychological resources for dealing with them (coping ability)
- negative stress (distress) results from a perceived imbalance between these demands and resources
15
Q
What are the 2 forms of cognitive appraisal?
A
- primary appraisal: significance in terms of personal goals, values, self-beliefs
- secondary appraisal: ability to control situation and importance for wellbeing
- involves taking personal and situational factors into account
