Stress - Measures of Stress Flashcards
What was the aim of Geer and Maisel’s 1972 study on Physiological Measures of Stress?
To see if perceived control or actual control reduces stress responses to averse stimuli.
What was the method used in Geer and Maisel’s 1972 study on Physiological Measures of Stress?
Lab Experiment
What was the sample in Geer and Maisel’s 1972 study on Physiological Measures of Stress?
60 Psychology undergraduates from a New York Uni.
Describe how stress was measured and the procedure in Geer and Maisel’s 1972 study on Physiological Measures of Stress.
GSR - measuring the level of moisture on PPS’ fingers. Took baseline reading and then measured any +ve or -ve changes in the level of moisture.
(ECGs to measure heart rate, but were discarded as they were thought to be inaccurate.)
PPS in sound proofed room, wired up to GSR machines - calibrated for 5 minutes while PPS relaxed so a baseline reading could be taken.
Instructions read over an intercom.
Each photo precede with a 10 second tone, photos shown for 30 seconds.
GSR measurements taken at the start of the tone, during the second half of the tone and when the picture was shown.
What were the results of Geer and Maisel’s 1972 study on Physiological Measures of Stress?
ECG readings inaccurate, so were discarded.
Group 2 showed the most stress.
Group 1 showed the least stress.
What conclusions were made in Geer and Maisel’s 1972 study on Physiological Measures of Stress?
That having control over your environment can reduce stress responses.
What are 3 strengths of the way stress was measured in Geer and Maisel’s 1972 study on Physiological Measures of Stress?
+ Objective & scientific.
+ Internally reliable
+ Improved validity - baseline data taken, which reduces affect of individual differences.
What are 3 weaknesses of the way stress was measured in Geer and Maisel’s 1972 study on Physiological Measures of Stress?
- Unethical - shown disturbing and potentially psychologically harmful images to induce stress.
- Low concurrent validity, as ECG measures were inaccurate/discarded.
- Reductionist - assumes that stress is the only reason for sweat residing on PPS’ skin.
What was the aim of Holmes and Rahe’s (1967) study on self report measures of stress?
To create a method that estimates the extent to which life events are stressors.
What method was used in Holmes and Rahe’s (1967) study on self report measures of stress?
Self report - Questionnaires.
Describe the sample in Holmes and Rahe’s (1967) study on self report measures of stress?
394 participants - 179 men, 215 women from a range of ages, ethnic groups and religions.
Describe the procedure in Holmes and Rahe’s (1967) study on self report measures of stress.
Participants were asked to rate a series of 43 life events, based on how much re-adjustment they caused, with the knowledge that marriage was worth a rating of 50. Participants judged this according to their own experiences, but also their perceptions of other people’s experiences.
What were the results for Holmes and Rahe’s (1967) study on self report measures of stress?
Holmes and Rahe used the mean average scores for each life event to create the final social re-adjustment rating scale (SRRS). Correlations were high in all groups but one. There was less correlation between white and black people.
What was concluded in Holmes and Rahe’s (1967) study on self report measures of stress?
The degree of similarity between different groups is impressive and shows agreement in general of what constitutes a life event and how much they cause stress.
What are 3 strengths of how stress was measured in Holmes and Rahe’s (1967) study on self report measures of stress?
+ Reliable, as self reports given were consistent and the method was standardised.
+ Valid, as there was agreement across participants as to what constitutes a life event.
+ Ethical. Participant details, etc remained anonymous and the rating of the life events should not have induced much psychological harm, if any at all.
