Stress and emotion

Question 1

What is the difference between homeostasis and allostasis?

Answer 1

Homeostasis- self-regulation
-It is not meant to address the impact of stress on one’s health
-When one is exposed to a stressor
-Sensory input is channeled through the brain
-Input is modified by expectation and evaluation
-Physiological regulatory response is produced
-Remains true for stressors that do not appear psychological

Allostasis updates the concept of homeostasis
-The brain controls internal regulation to match one’s behavioral response and physiological response to their environment/the stressor
-The brain is the central mediator!
-Reduces distress short-term, but overall there is wear and tear (allostatic load) that leads to increased distress, dysregulation, and illness long-term

Question 2

Describe an emotion regulation intervention that is effective in childhood that was presented in this chapter. Describe an emotion regulation intervention that is effective for adolescence that was presented in this chapter.

Answer 2

Childhood
-Emotions-based curricula
-Use organized instruction to teach specific affective and social-cognitive skills (emotions knowledge and social problem-solving skills)
Helps children appropriately identify, choose, and enact prosocial solutions to typical social problems (ex: peer conflicts)
-Shown to significantly improve social-cognitive abilities and social adjustment
Ex: PATHS curriculum - one of the most successful of these programs- focuses on the developmental integration of affect, behavior, and cognitive understanding as they relate to social and emotional competence

Adolescence
-Mindfulness interventions
-Mindfulness interventions targeting urban youth, coupled with basic yoga practices, have been shown to promote improved stress reactivity, depressive symptoms, and peer relations