STRESS: Characteristics

Question 1

Stress Definition

Answer 1

Psychological or physical strain which is difficult to manage or endure
CIRCUMSTANCES / EVENTS / EXPERIENCES

Question 2

Ways in which stress is mediated

Answer 2

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM: System that regulates hormone release (emotions are governed by hormones)

Question 3

Types of Stressors

Answer 3

Acute & Chronic
A: Intense, unpleasant, dysfunctional reaction; begins shortly after an overwhelming traumatic event - lasts less than a month
C: Drawn out stress response over periods of time; e.g. environmental stress: stressed about where you work

Question 4

Yerkes-Dodson Law Bell Curve

Answer 4

Eustress - Optimal Stress
Dependent on a person’s perspective on their stress response
SELYE - Adapting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one

Question 5

YDL Eustress Explained

Answer 5

Optimal stress arousal and optimal performance creates a state of eustress
Low arousal: Lower performance; increasing attention and interest
High arousal: Lower performance; impaired performance due to strong anxiety

Question 6

Selye Research

Answer 6

Generalised Adaption Syndrome: All stress symptoms are the same / people experience stress the same regardless of individual factors
- When faced with a stressor, body is depleted of resources (sugars / neurotrans / hormones)

Question 7

Selye Stress as a Physical Response: Research Detail

Answer 7

Induced non-fatal harmful stimuli to rats
STAGE 1 - 6-48hr: physiological triad of responses to stress (Enlarged adrenal glands / Stomach ulcers / Shrinkage of rats’ immune systems - Thymus)
STAGE 2 - Physiological functioning returned to near normal when stressor was removed
STAGE 3 - 1-3 months: Return of stressors
FINDINGS: Stage 3 shows that after a stressor is induced, a person’s resilience is decreased
BIO APPROACH TO STRESS (contrast to Lazarus & Folkman)

Question 8

Lazarus & Folkman

Answer 8

Transactional Model of Stress
Transaction between the person and environment
Stress is more likely to be recognised cognitively
COGNITIVE APPROACH TO STRESS (contracts Selye)

Question 9

Effects of stress

Answer 9

PSYCHOLOGICAL: Feelings of isolation; can lead to other mental health issues (depression / anxiety / OCD)
PHYSIOLOGICAL: Overarousal of the body’s systems; chronic heart disease
McGonigal - Stress beliefs are more harmful than stress itself