Stress: Cortisol and Chronic Stress (Bio Explanation)

Question 1

What points can be made when describing the explanation?

Answer 1

Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Adrenal Pathway
Cortisol
Effects on memory
Effects on health

Question 2

Describe the HPA pathway

Answer 2

Hypothalamus produces corticotropin
Pituitary gland produces adrencorticotropin hormone
Adrenal cortex produces cortisol

Question 3

Is the SAM or HPA pathway faster?

Answer 3

SAM

Question 4

What kind of chemical is cortisol?

Answer 4

Steroid hormone

Question 5

What is cortisol involved with?

Answer 5

Learning
Memory
The immune system
Regulating glucose storage
Lowering sensativity to pain

Question 6

How does cortisol effect memory?

Answer 6

It has a negative effect on cognitive performance and impairs memory
Kuhlman: 30 women learnt 30 words. Higher cortisol had worse memory

Question 7

What was Kuhlman’s study into the effect of cortisol on memory?

Answer 7

Gave 30 women a list of 30 words to remember. Those high in cortisol had reduced recall, especially on negative words

Question 8

What effects does cortisol have on health?

Answer 8

Linked to immunosupression as energy is diverted away from non-essential processes to the heart and lungs where it is most needed for action
Kiecolt-Glaser: 75 medical students had reduced NK cells during exams

Question 9

What was Kiecolt-Glaser’s study into the effect of cortisol on health?

Answer 9

Study of 75 medical students measuring NK cells before and during a stressful exam period. During exams, they had reduced levels, more if they were iscolated.

Question 10

What evaluative points can be made?

Answer 10

Supporting evidence
Contradicting evidence
Not always bad
Not always raised
Application

Question 11

What is the supporting evidence?

Answer 11

Kiecolt-Glaser: Chronic stress reduces immune system function. When stressor is removed, cortisol drops and immunosupression.
Heim: Low cortisol linked to fatigue and PTSD
Shows it’s directly related to stress and has a complex effect

Question 12

What supporting evidence does Heim have?

Answer 12

Low cortisol levels is linked to PTSD and fatigue. Suggests a complex effect

Question 13

What is the contradicting evidence?

Answer 13

Not cause and effect as lifestyle changes may help
Lopez-Duran: Peak levels vary from 10-60 minutes showing it’s not universal
Evans: Theory is too simplistic

Question 14

What conflicting evidence does Lopez-Duran have?

Answer 14

Peak cortisol levels to an accute stressor vary from 10-60 minutes showing the response is not as universal as claimed.

Question 15

Why is the effect of cortisol not always negative?

Answer 15

Evans found it boosts the immune system in the short term. Students with acute stress had more antibodies than those with chronic stress showing it has a complex relationship.

Question 16

How are cortisol levels not always raised with stress?

Answer 16

Lewis found variation from 58% decline to 95% increase, showing not everyone has the same biological response and there may be other factors
Miller argues there is a lack of longitudinal studies to measure cortisol over a long period of time

Question 17

What variance in cortisol levels did Lewis find?

Answer 17

58% decline to 95% increace

Question 18

How can this theory be appied to the real world?

Answer 18

Managing stress in pregnant women
O’Connor: Chronic stress in pregnancy means children as old as 10 have raised cortisol
Shows it has an effect on the cognitive and behavioural development of the children