U3 AOS1 K6-9 Flashcards
Acculturative Stress
Arises due to changes in the cultural environment. Occurs often when moving to another country when it is necessary to adapt to new norms, values and traditions.
Alarm Reaction Stage
Alarm is the first stage of GAS when a person/organism first realises that there is a threat or stressor. It has two sub-stages called shock and countershock
Approach Coping
Approach strategies involve confronting the stressor and is often problem focused
Avoidant Coping
Avoidance strategies involve evading the stressor and are often emotion focused
Catastrophe
A catastrophe is an unpredictable event that causes widespread damage or suffering
Context-specific Effectiveness
Coping strategies depend on past experience and the strategies used need to be a ‘good fit’ with the stressful situation.
Coping
Coping is the process of constantly changing cognitive and behavioural efforts to manage specific internal and/or external stressors appraised as exceeding the resources of the person
Coping Flexibility
The ability to adapt to a range of stressful situations and vary coping strategies (eg combining problem and emotion) to suit the stressful situation
Cortisol
A hormone released by the adrenal glands
Distress
Refers to a negative psychological response to a perceived stressor
Eustress
Refers to a positive psychological response to a perceived stressor
Exhaustion Stage
The third stage of GAS (fight-flight-freeze response) where the body cannot continue to cope with the stressor and its resistance begins to drop; the body’s resources are depleted and very tired which can lead to life-threatening illness and death if the stress continues
General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
A model developed by Selye to explain the biological processes involved in chronic stress; he suggested there were three stages; alarm, resistance and exhaustion. GAS is the body’s way of adapting and dealing with perceived stressor or stressors
Coping Strategy
Can be avoidant or approach strategies. Approach strategies being more problem focused and avoidant more emotionally focused
Freeze Reaction
This is when you will keep absolutely still and silent, avoiding detection. It is activated by the parasympathetic nervous system
Major Stressor
A major stressor is an event that is extraordinarily stressful or disturbing for almost everyone who experiences it
Primary Appraisal
The initial evaluation process where the person determines whether the event is a threat or a challenge
Resistance Stage
The second stage of Seyle’s General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS); it is considered the adaptive stage because even though heart and respiration rate return to almost normal, blood glucose levels and stress related hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol continue to circulate through the body keeping it ready for action
Secondary Appraisal
The second stage where the person considers what options are available to them and how they will respond to the event this appraisal is made at a more conscious level
Stress
A psychological and physical response to internal and external sources of tension that challenge a person’s ability to cope; these can be real or perceived
Stressor
A source of tension that challenges a person’s ability to cope
Transactional Model Of Stress and Coping
Stress involves a transaction between and individual and their external environment, and that a stress response depends on the individual’s appraisal of the stressor and their ability to cope with it
