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VCE Psychology > U3AOS1 - Stress, Coping Strategies And Models > Flashcards

U3AOS1 - Stress, Coping Strategies And Models Flashcards

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1
Q

stressor

A

where a situation or any circumstance that is perceived to be a threat… or which causes or promotes stress
- it can be positive / negative, environmental, social or psychological

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2
Q

stress

A

a psychological or physical response to internal or external sources of tension (stressors) that challenge a persons’ ability to cope and adapt to challenging conditions, either real or perceived

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3
Q

distress

A

negative stress

- too little or too much stress

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4
Q

eustress

A

positive stress

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5
Q

too little stress

A

impaired attention
confusion
apathy

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6
Q

too much stress

A

impaired selectivity
excitement
burn-out
disorganised behaviour

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7
Q

physical signs of stress

A
  • rapid heart rate
  • headaches
  • chest pain
  • fatigue
  • visual difficulties
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8
Q

cognitive signs of stress

A
  • poor concentration
  • memory impairment
  • blaming others
  • racing thoughts
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9
Q

emotional signs of stress

A
  • apprehension / anxiety
  • fear
  • anger
  • panic
  • hopelessness
  • denial
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10
Q

behavioural signs of stress

A
  • sleep disturbances
  • anti-social behaviour
  • inappropriate use of humour
  • substance use
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11
Q

sources of stress

A

daily pressures
life events
acculturative stress
major stress / catastrophes

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12
Q

daily pressures

A
  • we all experience eustress and distress in our daily lives

- examples include lack of sleep, traffic jams, gossip, excess noise, car breakdown and social media issues

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13
Q

life events

A
  • can include life events such as starting a new job or the death of a loved one
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14
Q

acculturative stress

A
  • learning a new language and adapting to customs and laws very differently from their own (acculturation)
  • can also be affected due to seperation, feeling overwhelmed, relationships, status difficulty, social and cultural change, resettlement issues and religion changes
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15
Q

major stress / catastrophes

A
  • affects a whole population or group

- extreme stressors can lead to a person developing PTSD or anxiety disorders

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16
Q

models of stress as a biological process

A

flight-freeze-fight response

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17
Q

flight-freeze-fight response

A
  • controlled by the sympathetic nervous system
  • its classified as an adaptive response
  • can either freeze and do nothing // fight it or take flight and leave
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18
Q

cortisol

A

a stress hormone // it plays an essential role responding to stress

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19
Q

HPA Axis

A

when a stressor is present the following occurs:

  • Triggers release of corticotropin (CRH) from the hypothalamus
  • The pituitary gland in turn releases adrenocorticotropic (ACTH) into the bloodstream
  • ACTH gets to the adrenal glands and then this releases stress hormones includes adrenaline, noradrenaline and CORTISOL
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20
Q

cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline actions

A
  • increase in respiration and heart rate
  • oxygenated blood travels around our body faster causing extreme alterness
  • glucose is released to provide us with more energy to respond
  • pupils dialate to allow more light in for greater detail in our vision
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21
Q

prolonged stress impacts

A

can cause immune system suppression and make us more vulnerable to major and minor illnesses

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22
Q

when the cause of stress is removed

A
  • acetylcholine is released and cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline levels return to normal
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23
Q

homeostasis and allostasis

A

allostasis is the process of change that needs to occur to return the body to homeostasis

homeostasis is a state of balance
- internal biochemical stability to others in our allostatic load

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24
Q

allostatic load

A

frequent flight-fight-freeze response can lead to an increase in our allostatic load
- when we can’t deal with all the pressure and our physical resources are depleted we go into allostatic overload

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25
Q

physiological responses

A
  • environmental stressors, major life events, trauma and abuse lead to perceived stress
  • perceived stress (threats, helplessness, vigilance) causes a physiological response based on individual differences and behavioural responses
  • allostasis and adaption kicks in and contributes to our allostatic load
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26
Q

General Adaption Syndrome

A

The three stage physiological process that occurs regardless of the stressor that is encountered
- GAS is non-specifc and will occur whatever the source of the stressor

27
Q

GAS stages

A 
alarm
- shock
- countershock
resistance
exhaustion
28
Q

stage 1 : alarm

A
  • made up of shock and countershock
29
Q

shock

A
  • occurs when a person or animal first becomes aware of the stressor and the body going into a temporary state of shock
  • ability to deal with the stressor falls below its normal levels
  • physiologically the body reacts as if it were injured, blood pressure drops and temporary muscle loss may occur
  • symptoms include fatigue and heart attack
30
Q

countershock

A
  • sympathetic nervous system is activated
  • body’s resistance to stressor increases
  • organises response to flight-fight-freeze response
  • becomes highly aroused and alert to deal with the stressor
  • adrenaline is released into the bloodstream and the organisms respiratory system and heart
  • this supplies muscles with more energy (glucose) allowing the organism to fight or flee until needed
31
Q

stage 2: resistance

A
  • body’s resistance to stressor rises above normal
  • intense reaction of alarm diminishes but psychological arousal remains above normal
  • all unnecessary physiological processes are shut down
  • chemicals such as cortisol are released into the bloodstream to energise the body and repair any damage which may have occurred
  • if effect to deal with the internal stressor in the resistance stage is successful the organism will have adapted to a stressor and the body returns to homeostasis
32
Q

stage 2: resistance - symptoms/signs

A
  • resistance to other stressors such as illness or disease may decline
  • increases social withdrawal // absences from school or work are characteristic
  • the person may appear withdrawn, fearful or angry
33
Q

stage 3: exhaustion

A
  • if the stressor is not dealt with successfully during the resistance stage, and it continues the organism enters an exhaustion stage
  • during the exhaustion stage, some of the alarm reaction changes may reappears but the body cannot sustain its resistance and the effects of the stressor cannot be dealt with anymore
  • because the organism has been trying to deal with the stressor for a prolonged time its resources have been depleted, its resistance to disease is very weak and it becomes more vulnerable to physical and mental illnesses
  • brings about physical wear and tear especially if organs have been constantly trying to deal with the stressor
34
Q

stage 3: exhaustion - symptoms/signs

A
  • stress is characterised by extreme fatigue, high levels of anxiety and symptoms of depression and impaired sexual performance
  • physical disorders such as hypertension, gastrointestinal problems and heart disease
  • in some cases if stress continues the organism may die
35
Q

GAS model positives

A
  • as a model it provides more info about the physiological processes associated with stress
  • it provides laboratory evidence for the role of the brain, endocrine system and peripheral nervous system in stress
  • also establishes a strong connection between extreme, prolonged or chronic stress and certain diseases
  • results also showed prolonged stress could also lead to death in lab rats
36
Q

GAS model negatives

A
  • overemphasis on biological processes
  • model predominantly based on research with lab rats and not humans
  • rats responses to stress are less varied and less complex
  • has not applied to humans or considered physiological or environmental factors
  • has not recognised the role of emotions and cognitions in the stress response
  • generalisations of the theory are limited
37
Q

transactional model - overview

A
  • stressor undergoes a primary appraisal, secondary appraisal and then the coping resources either are greater than the demand or they aren’t and there is stress
  • a reappraisal may occur after a secondary appraisal and start the flow chart again
38
Q

primary appraisal

A
  • rapid analysis of the stressor

- classifies the situation as harm/loss, threat, challange or neutral

39
Q

harm/loss

A

there is some type of damage that can been done

40
Q

threat

A

there may be future harm of loss from the stressor

41
Q

challange

A

there is an opportunity for personal growth

42
Q

neutral

A

an assessment made stating the stressor is of limited personal importance

43
Q

secondary appraisal

A

made at a more conscious level

  • personal assesses what resources and energy is needed to deal with the event // the strategies they need to cope
  • this leads into either that the resources are adequate and problem/emotional coping can be used or they aren’t and the situation becomes more stressful
44
Q

problem focused coping

A
  • constructive type of coping which reduces stress by using behaviour modification
  • includes: taking control, evaluating pros and cons and information seeking
45
Q

emotion focused coping

A
  • involves trying to reduce negative feelings associated with the stressor
46
Q

transactional model - strengths

A
  • it uses human subjects in developing the model
  • focused on the psychological aspects of stress
  • the response to the stressor is viewed as transactional between the individual and the environment
  • takes both mental processes and emotions into account
  • acknowledges responses to stress are individualised
  • provides a framework in which there is opportunity or possibility for the person to reappraise and adjust their response accordingly
47
Q

transactional model - weaknesses

A
  • initial assessment may not be clear cut // person may experience a stressor and not be conscious of its origins
  • due to the subjective manner in which everyone experiences stress it is hard to test
  • pre-existing conditions aren’t taken into account
48
Q

coping with stress

A

active coping

negative coping

49
Q

active coping

A
  • seeking solutions
  • finding acceptance
  • focus on the facts
  • set priorities
50
Q

negative coping

A
  • withdrawal
  • denial
  • projection
  • suicidal thoughts
  • blaming
51
Q

negative feelings

A 
shame
guilt
panic
disappointment
anxiety
depression
sadness
52
Q

context specific effectiveness

A
  • considers the unique characteristics of a situation or environment that the person is required to adapt to
53
Q

coping flexibility

A
  • refers to the individual ability to adapt effectively to a range of stressful situations
  • develop a repertoire of both problem focused and emotion focused coping strategies
54
Q

strategies for coping with stress

A

exercise

approach vs avoidance

55
Q

exercise

A
  • physical activity that is usually planned and performed to improve of maintain physical condition
56
Q

benefits of exercise

A
  • physical exercise increases demands on the body for energy and in the processes uses up stress hormones
  • can help work out built up tension in muscles
  • increases efficiency of cardiovascular system, increases strength, flexibility and stamina for encountering future stressors
  • many people experience short term psychological benefits during or immediately after exercising (from endorphins)
  • provides opportunity for time out from a stressor
  • people who exercise with others experience long term psychosocial benefits
57
Q

approach

A

move towards

58
Q

avoidance

A

move away

59
Q

approach strategies

A

involve effects to deal with a stressor, its causes and a situation that will address the underlying problem, issue or concern and minimise or estimate its impact
- include strategies which engage with the stressor

60
Q

approach strategies - benefits

A
  • generally considered more adaptable

- people using approach strategies generally experience fewer physiological symptoms that avoidance

61
Q

approach strategies - limitations

A
  • initially or in the short term whilst the individual is directly engaged with the stressor and its causes
  • requires the individuals energy and focus to deal with the stressor neglecting other aspects of their lives
62
Q

avoidance strategies

A
  • involve effects that evade the stressor and there is no attempt to actively confront the stressor and its causes
  • strategies include behavioural or emotional disengagement
63
Q

avoidance strategies - benefits

A
  • selectively avoiding dealing with the unchangeable aspects of a stressor by ‘switching off’ may be considered adaptive
  • allows for conversion of energy to focus on other stressors
  • disengagement might be appropriate in a situation where nothing can be done
  • can provide ‘time out’ from the stressor
64
Q

avoidance strategies - limitations

A
  • tend to be maladaptive
  • excessive reliance on avoidance strategies leads to be associated with a number of negative consequences
  • long term use of avoidance strategies can also contribute to other problems
  • tend to only be helpful in short term
  • delaying the stressor longer may have increased negative consequences

VCE Psychology (6 decks)

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