Stress & Health Psychology

Question 1

Stress

Answer 1

Nonspecific response of the body to any demand made on it; the arousal, both physical and mental, to situations or events that we perceive as threatening or challenging

Question 2

Stressor

Answer 2

The trigger that prompts the stressful reaction

Question 3

Eustress

Answer 3

Pleasant, desirable stress

Question 4

Distress

Answer 4

Unpleasant, threatening stress

Question 5

Seven major sources of stress:

Answer 5

Life changes
Chronic stress
Job stress
Hassle
Frustration
Conflict
Cataclysmic events

Question 6

Chronic stress

Answer 6

State of ongoing arousal in which the parasympathetic system cannot activate the relaxation response

Question 7

List the 3 basic types of conflict:

Answer 7

Approach-Approach
Avoidance-Avoidance
Approach-Avoidance

Question 8

Approach-Approach Conflict:

Answer 8

Choosing between two or more favorable alternatives.

Question 9

Avoidance–Avoidance Conflict:

Answer 9

A forced choice between two or more unpleasant alternatives both of which lead to negative results

Question 10

Approach-Avoidance Conflict:

Answer 10

Choosing between alternatives that will have both desirable and undesirable results

Question 11

SAM System

Answer 11

Body’s initial, rapid-acting stress response, involving the sympathetic nervous system and the adrenal medulla; also called the Sympatho-AdrenoMedullary (SAM) system

Question 12

HPA Axis

Answer 12

Body’s delayed stress response, involving the hypothalamus, pituitary, and adrenal cortex; also
called the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenocortical (HPA) system

Question 13

Homeostasis

Answer 13

Body’s tendency to maintain a relatively balanced and stable internal state, such as a constant internal temperature

Question 14

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

Answer 14

Selye’s three-stage (alarm, resistance, exhaustion) reaction to chronic stress

Question 15

Type A Personality

Answer 15

Behavior characteristics include intense ambition,

competition, exaggerated time urgency, and a cynical, hostile outlook

Question 16

Type B Personality

Answer 16

Behavior characteristics consistent with a calm, patient, relaxed attitude

Question 17

Hardiness

Answer 17

Resilient personality with a strong commitment to personal goals, control over life, and viewing change as a challenge rather than a threat

Question 18

Hardiness 3 distinctive attitudes:

Answer 18

Commitment
Control
Challenge

Question 19

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Answer 19

Anxiety disorder following exposure to a life-threatening or other extreme events that evoked great horror or helplessness; characterized by flashbacks, nightmares, and impaired functioning

Question 20

Primary symptoms of (PTSD)

Answer 20

1. Reexperiencing the events through vivid memories or flashbacks
2. Feeling emotionally “numb”
3. Feeling overwhelmed by what would normally be considered everyday situations
4. Showing diminished interest in performing a normal task or pursuing an unusual interest
5. Crying uncontrollably
6. Isolating one’s self from family and friends and avoiding social interaction
7. Relying increasingly on alcohol or drugs to get through the day
8. Feeling extremely moody, irritable, angry, suspicious, or frightened
9. Having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, sleeping too much, and experiencing nightmares
10. Feeling guilty for surviving the event or being unable to solve the problem, change the event, or prevent the disaster
11. Feeling fear and sense of doom about the future

Question 21

Five Important tips for coping with a crisis

Answer 21

1. Recognize your feelings about the situation and talk to others about your fears. Know that these feelings are a normal response to an abnormal situation.
2. Be willing to listen to family and friends who have been affected and encourage them to seek counseling if necessary.
3. Be patient with people. Tempers are short in times of crisis, and others may be feeling as much stress as you.
4. Recognize normal crisis reactions, such as sleep disturbances and nightmares, withdrawal, reverting to childhood behaviors, and trouble focusing on work or school.
5. Take time with your children, spouse, life partner, friends, and coworkers to do something you enjoy.

Question 22

Health Psychology

Answer 22

Studies how biological, psychological, and social factors interact in health and illness