Stress (final) Flashcards
Stress
The feeling we have when we evaluate or appraise a situation as something that
overloads or strains our psychological resources
(Disruption of our homeostatic balance- Sympathetic/Parasympathetic NS
Primary Appraisal
Our initial, subjective evaluation of a situation
(3 kinds of primary appraisal)
Irrelevant (PA)
“I don’t care”
Positive (PA)
a good challenge
Stressful (PA)
harmful/loss - loss of status/dominance
Threat
Challenge -need to step up
Secondary Appraisal
deciding on how we can cope with the situation
Psychoneuroimmunology
The study of the relationship b/w the CNS, the endocrine system, and
psychosocial factors (like cognitive reactions to stressful events, the individual’s
personality traits, and social influences.)
Psychophysiological
(“mind and body”) symptoms
heart attacks
clogged arteries etc.
Hypochondriacal symptoms
imaginary physical ailments
could begin as imaginary and evolve into the real deal
General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
Han Selye
1. ALARM- fight or flight, sympathetic nervous system is activated
2. RESISTANCE- the body’s reaction to continued stress; it is marked by most
physiological R’s returning to normal after the body uses up great stores of energy
3. EXHAUSTION- Body’s reaction to long-term, continuous stress; marked by an
actual breakdown of internal organs or weakening of the immune system
Problem- focused
we change our own behavior to take some action that will solve the problem
Ex. Test-scores
Emotion- focused
Harm or threat-appraisal? Directing our attention to something else, avoiding
thinking about the situation, engaging in positive thinking, or putting some distance
b/w us and the situation
Ex. Relationships
Major life events
a type of stressor having to do with disruptive life changes (pos. and neg) that we appraise as having a significant impact
Daily Hassles
every bit as disorienting
Ex, no parking spaces
can cause frustration that can also cause aggression
Positive Illusions !!!!
Optimistic people handle stress better; depressed people might see situation more
“clearly” (fewer Illusions)
