Stress as a psychobiological process Chapter 3

Question 1

stress

Answer 1

a psychological and physiological state of tension in response to a stimulus

Question 2

stressor

Answer 2

a stimulus (internal or extrenal) that prompts the stress response

Question 3

internal stressor

Answer 3

-a stimulus from within a persons body that prompts the stress response
-attitude
-rumination
-low self esteem
-nervous system dysfunction

Question 4

attitude

Answer 4

more likely that they consider a situation to be outside of their capacity to cope,

Question 5

rumination

Answer 5

Repeatedly thinking about the negative components of an event makes it more difficult to overcome

Question 6

low self-esteem

Answer 6

negative opinion of themselves makes it more likely
that they do not believe in their capacity to overcome a stressful situation

Question 7

nervous system dysfunction

Answer 7

The dysfunction of the production of certain neurotransmitters,
such as gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), could make it more likely to experience a stress
response

Question 8

external stressor

Answer 8

a stimulus from outside a person’s body that prompts the stress response
a test
meeting new people
working

Question 9

Eustress

Answer 9

a positive psychological stress response
emotions: happy excited
when stressor provides a positive opportunity

Question 10

Distress

Answer 10

a negative psychological stress response
emotions: worried upset
when stressor provides a negative circumstance

Question 11

acute stress

Answer 11

a form of stress characterised by intense psychological and physiological symptoms that are brief in duration

Question 12

fight-flight-freeze

Answer 12

an involuntary and automatic response to a threat that takes the form of either escaping it, confronting it or freezing

Question 13

flight and fight

Answer 13

activation of sympathetic ns
prompts the release of adrenaline and allows the body to quickly flee form the threat or fight

Question 14

freeze

Answer 14

stressor seems so threatening that the body cannot respond straight away
drop in blood pressure

Question 15

chronic stress

Answer 15

a form of stress that endures for several months or longer

Question 16

cortisol

Answer 16

a hormone that is released in times of stress to aid the body in initiating and maintaining heightened arousal

Question 17

response to acute stress

Answer 17

cortisol helps to energise the body by inducing the release of glucose and rise in blood sugar levels
fight-flight-freeze

Question 18

response to chronic stress

Answer 18

-enduring release of cortisol
-increased blood sugar levels
-improving metabolism
-energising the body
-reducing inflammation

Question 19

General Adaptation Syndrome

Answer 19

a biological model involving three stages of physiological reactions that a person experiences in response to a persistent stressor

Question 20

SCARE

Answer 20

Shock
Counter shock
Alarm reaction
Resistance
Exhaustion

Question 21

Shock stage

Answer 21

-1st stage in GAS
-you become aware of the enormous amount of stress caused by the stressor
-You experience a short period of shock
-your ability to deal with the stress falls below normal levels
-body temperature, blood pressures and muscle tone momentarily decrease

Question 22

Counter shock

Answer 22

-your body increases its resistance to the stressor with the release of adrenaline into the blood stream
-the sympathetic NS activates the fight or flight or freeze response

Question 23

Resistance

Answer 23

-The 2nd stage in GAS
-involves maintaining high levels of bodily arousal in response to a persistent stressor
-your ability to deal with the stressor rises above normal levels
-cortisol is released
-over a prolonged period of time stress hormones weaken the immune system resulting in a cold or infection

Question 24

Exhaustion

Answer 24

-resources depleted
-immune system is left weakened and prolonged release of adrenaline has negative affects on the body such as stomach ulcers

Question 25

Strengths of GAS

Answer 25

-recognises a predictable pattern of physiological responses associated with distinct stages -recognises relationships between chronic stress and illness -provides objective empirical information abt the biological process

Question 26

Limitations of GAS

Answer 26

-based on research done on rats, reduces the generalisation -only focuses on the biological aspect of stress and ignores the important psychological factors -prescribes a uniform

Question 27

primary appraisal

Answer 27

an individuals assessment of the situation -benign-positive -irrelevant -stressful --harm/loss --threat --challenge

Question 27

secondary appraisal

Answer 27

an individuals assessment of the available resources

Question 28

emotion focused coping

Answer 28

-wishful thinking -denial -reforming -optimism -venting emotions -meditation

Question 29

Problem focused coping

Answer 29

-seeking information -taking action -time management

Question 30

STRENGTHS of Lazarus and Folkman's Transactional Model of Stress and Coping

Answer 30

-accounts for individual differences in response to similar situations -explains why differences can occur within an individuals responses

Question 31

LIMITATIONS of Lazarus and Folkman's Transactional Model of Stress and Coping

Answer 31

-lack of empirical evidence -often overlap between primary and secondary appraisal stage

Question 32

gut microbiota

Answer 32

all the living organisms that live in the gut

Question 33

gut microbiome

Answer 33

all the genes of the microorganisms that live in the gut

Question 34

biome

Answer 34

an area for a community of living things

Question 35

Mayer et al (2015) study

Answer 35

-microorganisms from gut microbiota removed form animals -these animals were found to secrete more stress hormones

Question 36

The gut-brain-axis

Answer 36

the bi-directional relationship between the gut and the brain through the enteric NS and CNS

Question 37

enteric NS

Answer 37

the network of nerves in the gut and is a subdivision of the autonomic ns

Question 38

vagus nerve

Answer 38

the longest cranial nerve that connects the gut and the brain, enabling them to communicate -10-20% nerve fibres brain ⋙ gut -80-90% nerve fibres gut ⋙ brain

Question 39

Germ-free animal studies

Answer 39

-Microbiota from patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) was implanted into germ-free mice -The mice began to exhibit depressive like behaviours -poorer memory function -secretion of stress hormones -less social engagement

Question 40

Germ free animals

Answer 40

microorganisms removed from their gut

Question 41

composition of gut microbiota can influence

Answer 41

-autism spectrum disorder -mental disorders, depression, anxiety, and psychotic disorders -cognitive decline

Question 42

gut related diseases

Answer 42

irritable bowel disease and inflammatory bowel syndrome have links with anxiety and depression symptoms

Question 43

coping with stress strategies

Answer 43

-physical exercise: adrenaline released when stressed so by exercising u are using up the adrenaline -meditation relaxation -social support -alcohol/ drugs (dopamine)

Question 44

approach strategies

Answer 44

behaviours that attempt to decrease the stress by addressing or finding solutions to the problem -eg. applying for jobs, commencing hw -typically a healthy response to stress

Question 45

avoidance strategies

Answer 45

failing to engage or deal with the stress by protecting oneself from psychological distress -eg. ignoring or denying the situation -typically maladaptive unhealthy for the individual and unhelpful for relieving the source of stress

Question 46

self-efficacy

Answer 46

the belief in our own ability and that our actions can influence outcomes

Question 47

resilience

Answer 47

our ability to bounce back following adversity

Question 48

context-specific effectiveness

Answer 48

coping strategies are a good fit for the situation

Question 49

coping flexibility

Answer 49

-the ability to replace and effective coping strategy with a different strategy that is more suited or effective in dealing with the stressor