Unit 2 - Biological psychology key words

Question 1

Fight or flight

Answer 1

Term meaning animal is energised to either fight or run away in response to a sudden (acute) stressor

Question 2

Pituitary - adrenal system

Answer 2

• Stress response involving the pituitary gland and adrenal cortex
• Helps body to cope with chronic stressors

Question 3

Stress

Answer 3

When the perceived demands of the situations are greater than the perceived ability to cope

Question 4

Sympathomedullary pathway (SAM pathway)

Answer 4

Stress response involving the SNS (sympathetic nervous system) and the adrenal medulla which helps the body to prepare for the FIGHT OR FLIGHT RESPONSE

Question 5

Immune system

Answer 5

• Designed to defend the body against antigens that would otherwise invade it
• Leucocytes = white blood cells that identify / eliminate antigens
• SAM pathway = direct effect on the immune system - ANS sends nerves directly into the tissues that form and store cells of the immune system
• Pituitary - adrenal system = Increases levels of circulating cortisol with too much cortisol suppressing the immune system

Question 6

Life changes

Answer 6

Events that require a significant adjustment in a person’s life

e.g. divorce

Question 7

Social readjustment rating scale (SRRS)

Answer 7

• Developed by Holmes + Rahe
• Test the idea that life changes are related to stress - related illnesses e.g. anxiety and depression
• Based on analysis of > 5000 patient records
• Used LCU (life change unit)
  Marriage = 50 LCU
  Death of spouse = 100 LCU (highest)

Question 8

Daily hassles

Answer 8

• Frustrating and irritating everyday experiences that occur at home, work and personal life
• Most os us, our life stressors = major life changes e.g. divorce but minor stressors an build up overtime

Question 9

Daily uplifts

Answer 9

• Minor +VE experiences of everyday life that often counteracts the -VE effects of daily hassles
  e. g. receiving compliment

Question 10

Cardiovascular disorder

Answer 10

Disorders of the heart or circulatory system

• hypertension (high BP)
• heart disease

Question 11

Control

Answer 11

Degree of which workers perceive that they have control over important aspects of their work

e.g. deadlines, procedures

Question 12

Workload

Answer 12

• Demands of a person’s work role

- Can be stressful as it’s repetitive, high intensity, monotonous or high volume

Question 13

Workplace stressors

Answer 13

Aspects of our working environment that we experience as stressful, and which cause a stress reaction in our body

Question 14

Hardy personality

Answer 14

Type of personality which provides a defense against the -VE effects of stress

Question 15

Personal view survery

Answer 15

• Measure of ‘hardiness’
• Hardiness score is a composite of 3 subscales:
  commitment
  control
  challenge

Question 16

Hardiness training

Answer 16

Aim = increase self - confidence and a sense of self control within an individual’s life

Question 17

Stress inoculation training (SIT)

Answer 17

Type of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) which trains people to cope with stressful situations more effectively by learning skills to protect themselves from the damaging effects of future success

Question 18

Stress management

Answer 18

Techniques intended to help people deal more effectively with the stress in their lives so that they’re less adversely affected by it

Question 19

Name 2 types of drug therapy

Answer 19

• Benzodiasepines (BZs)

- Beta blockers (BBs)

Question 20

Benzodiazepines (BZs)

Answer 20

• Group of drugs e.g. Librium, Valium
• Used to treat anxiety and stress
• Work by slowing down CNS

Question 21

Beta blockers (BBs)

Answer 21

Decrease anxiety by reducing activity of adrenaline and noradrenaline which are released in the body’s response to stress

Question 22

Placebo

Answer 22

Drug treatment that contains no active ingredient or therapeutic procedure

Question 23

Withdrawal symptoms

Answer 23

Abnormal physical or psychological reactions to the abrupt discontinuation of a drug to which an individual has developed physical dependence