Stress as a Response (GAS)

Question 1

General Adaptation Syndrome

Answer 1

Set of physical defences that react to harmful physical and physiological stimuli

Question 2

Physiological Response to Stress

Answer 2

Humans react to any stress (real, symbolic, imagined) by putting into motion a set of physiological responses that attempt to alleviate the stress’s impact

Question 3

Alarm Stage

Answer 3

Initial response to stressor (fight or flight), occurs for 6-48 hours after initial stressor

Threat detected by amygdala in the brain

Sends signals to hypothalamus to initiate sympathetic nervous system

Signal sent to adrenal glands through bloodstream

Adrenal glands stimulated to release cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline

Question 4

Resistance Stage

Answer 4

Body tries to repair itself from initial shock

Reduces activity in sympathetic nervous system

Parasympathetic nervous system initiated

Stress hormones continue to be secreted

Question 5

Exhaustion Stage

Answer 5

Prolonged period of stress

Physical and mental reserves are depleted

Adrenal gland functioning is limited, dropping blood sugar levels

Physical health negatively impacted