Topic 11: emotions + stress + illness

Question 1

Define stress

Answer 1

Regarded as a reflection of incompatibility between individual + environment

Question 2

Explain stress as a stimulus

Answer 2

• Approach concerned with identifying aspects of environment that have an effect on individual
• View is mechanistic = comes from physics/engineering = equates human stress to stress observed in metals
• Therefore identifying stressful situations = how/why affect psychological/physiological processes

Question 3

Explain what is the problem with the approach of stress as a stimulus

Answer 3

• Situations not inherently stressful but variations in effect of environmental stressors = differences in responses
• Approach overlooks variations = oversimplification

Question 4

Explain stress as a response

Answer 4

• Response to adverse situation
• According to Selye = 3 stage process of stress response = general adaptation syndrome
  1) Initial alarm reaction stage = fight or flight
  2) Resistance stage = functional recovery to superior level than pre-stressor level = body adapts to return to state of balance
  3) Exhaustion stage = if stressor continues = depletion + breakdown of recovery process = physical/psychological breakdown/burnout

Question 5

Explain what is the problem with the approach of stress as a response

Answer 5

• Too inflexible + mechanistic
• Response non-specific + automatic to all stressors

Question 6

Explain stress as a perceived threat

Answer 6

• Proposed by Lazarus = stress occurs when there are demands which individual cannot cope/adapt to it
• Stress not associated with specific stimulus/response BUT perceives + evaluates situation as threatening
• Specific to individuals capacity for dealing with demands
• Explains variation in response to stressors = individual’s evaluation is key factor

Question 7

Describe physiological + psychological responses to stress

Answer 7

• Adrenal gland plays central role in regulating response to threats or demand on individual
• Increased activity of sympathetic NS + catecholamine secretion in adrenal medulla = initial response to stress
• Initial response = emergency/alarm reaction BUT if stressor minor no further reaction
• If stressor persists + intense = response system increases use of hypothalamus + hormones on top of adrenal

Question 8

Explain psychological reactions to stress

Answer 8

• Initial alarm + shock state = endocrine + physiological response
• Coping strategies activated = way to deal with unpleasant situation
• If strategies successful = alarm reactions subdue
• If strategies unsuccessful = stressor affects behavior + may cause depression + withdrawl

Question 9

Factors mediating response to stress

Answer 9

• Prior experiences = if coped with particular stressor before = resilience
• Information = knowing what to expect = know how to handle = less stress
• Individual differences = personality characteristics
• Perceived control = if believe have control over situation = affects stress levels
• Social support = emotional/practical support buffers stress

Question 10

Psychosocial factors + disease

Answer 10

1) Social class = access to healthcare/nutrition/living conditions
2) Occupational factors = environment + job demands
3) Lifestyle = habits e.g. diet/exercise/smoking