STRESS: Measuring Stress

Question 1

What is a disadvantage of the physiological measures of measuring stress?

Answer 1

May not be valid, other factors could have caused the physiological changes for example, caffeine may be responsible for an increased heart rate.

Question 2

What is an advantage of the physiological measures of measuring stress?

Answer 2

It is objective therefore, very scientific.

Question 3

Geer & Maisel aim?

Answer 3

To see if perceived or actual control can reduce stress reaction to aversive stimuli.

Question 4

Geer & Maisel participants?

Answer 4

60 psychology undergrads from New York

Question 5

Geer & Maisel procedure?

Answer 5

Sound shielded room wired up to GSR and HR monitors. A Beckham model polygraph was used to collect psychophysiological data. The data was converted from a voltmeter to a print out.

Question 6

Geer & Maisels findings?

Answer 6

HR monitor findings were invalid due to inaccuracy.
The predictability group were the most stressed as they knew what was coming but had no control.
Control group was least stressed as they could terminate the aversive stimuli.

Question 7

Geer & Maisels method?

Answer 7

Laboratory experiment. Stress levels measured by GSR and HR.

Question 8

Geer & Maisels design?

Answer 8

Independent measures, assigned to one of three conditions.

1. Control group- could terminate aversive stimuli and knew what was coming.
2. Predictability group- knew what was coming but had no control.
3. Didn’t know what was coming and had no control.

Question 9

Geer & Maisels conclusion?

Answer 9

Participants showed less GSR reaction, indicating less stress when they had control over the length of time they looked at the aversive stimuli. Being able to terminate the stressor reduced stress.

Question 10

What study supports the self report measure of measuring stress?

Answer 10

Holmes + Rahe.

Question 11

Holmes & Rahe aim?

Answer 11

To create a method that estimates tech extent to which life events are stressors.

Question 12

Holmes & Rahe participants?

Answer 12

394, all American and they ages, religions and educations levels ranged.

Question 13

Holmes & Rahe method and design?

Answer 13

Self report using questionnaires designed to ascertains how much each life events was considered a stressor.

Question 14

Holmes & Rahe procedure?

Answer 14

5000 medical records looked at, found that preceding an illness, a life event occurs. Each participant was asked to rate a series of 43 life events. Marriage was given as arbitrary score of 50 and each life events had to be rated according to whether more or less adjustment was needed. It could be based on personal experience or a perception of another persons experience. Final SRRS was completed based on the mean scores.

Question 15

Holmes & Rahe findings?

Answer 15

Males and females agreed and so did people of differing ages, educational ability and religions. There was less of a correlation between black and white people.

Question 16

Holmes & Rahe conclusion?

Answer 16

The degree of similarity between groups is impressive and shows agreement in general what constitutes life events and how much stress they cause.

Question 17

What is the key study of the combined approach?

Answer 17

Johansson

Question 18

Johansson aim?

Answer 18

To measure the psychological and physiological stress response in two categories of employees.

Question 19

Johansson participants?

Answer 19

24 workers
14 production line workers
10 cleaners/ maintenance men

Question 20

Johansson design?

Answer 20

Independent measures, high risk and control groups.

Question 21

Johansson procedure?

Answer 21

Daily urine sample when participants arrived at work and 4 other times during the day so that adrenaline (catecholamine) levels could be measured. Self report of mood and alertness and caffeine and nicotine consumption. Body temperature was also taken with urine samples to help measure altertness.

Question 22

Johansson findings?

Answer 22

HR group had adrenaline levels twice as high as their baseline and this increased during the day. Control group had a peak of one and a half times their baseline but this dead readied during the day.

Question 23

Johansson conclusion?

Answer 23

The repetitive machine paced work which was demanding in attention to detail and highly mechanised, contributed to higher stress levels of the high risk group. High levels of responsibility were also associated with stress.

Question 24

Evaluate reductionism and holism in relation to measuring stress?

Answer 24

A reductionist approach to measuring stress would mean that just one factor was taken into account in the explanation. This would result in an inaccurate understanding of stress. For example, in Geer and Masiels study, stress is measured using only physiological measures. Similarly, in the study by Holmes and Rahe, stress is only measured using self report, where participants had to rate the stressfulness of life events. However, this reductionist approach can be useful because it allows for in depth data on one particular area.

Question 25

Evaluate snapshot research in relation to measuring stress?

Answer 25

Research into measuring stress is usually in the form of snapshot studies. This means we cannot see change and development over time and not a lot of data can be collected. Therefore, an accurate measurement of stress may not be obtained. For example, in the study by Holmes and Rahe, participants rated how stressful they perceived certain life events to be. Researchers were not able to gather in depth data about why these events were or were not stressful. Therefore, the validity of research into measuring stress is low because there is no longitudinal research where data is collected over time.

Question 26

Evaluate data in relation to measuring stress?

Answer 26

All research into measuring stress produced quantitative data. This kind of data is numerical therefore, very scientific, however, it lacks detail and validity. This type of data is good because it allows research to be easily replicated and means it is very reliable. For example, in Johansson’s study, only numerical data was collected, the physiological measurements like body temperature and urine samples both offer reliable, quantitative data. The self rating scales also offer this type of data making it easy to compare with other data. However, this data lacks detail and therefore validity because it doesn’t offer a detailed explanation as to why the behaviour occurs.

Question 27

Evaluate ethics in relation to measuring stress?

Answer 27

Most studies related to research measuring stress are ethically sound however, there isn’t much detail about ethics in the studies. Ethics refers to whether participants were harmed at all when taking part in the research and whether they gave their consent. Psychological research must be compatible with the BPS guidelines. For example, in Johansson’s study participants didn’t have to change their normal routine or do any artificial tasks therefore, overall the study is ethically sound. However, in Geer and Maisels study, participants were shown photos of dead car crash victims which could cause worry or upset. This suggests whilst most research into measuring stress is ok, there are still some flaws.