Unit 3, Aos 1, Dp 5 - Stress

Question 1

Stress

Answer 1

a psychological and physiological experience that occurs when an individual encounters something of significance that demands their attention and/or efforts to cope.

Question 2

Stressor

Answer 2

a stimulus (internal or external) that prompts the stress response.

Question 3

Stressor, stress, stress reaction

Answer 3

stressor - causes > stress - leads to > stress reaction -psychological, physiological

Question 4

Internal stress

Answer 4

a stimulus from within a person’s body that prompts the stress response

Question 5

External stress

Answer 5

a stimulus from outside of a person’s body that prompts the stress response

Question 6

Eustress (positive stress)

Answer 6

a form of stress characterised by a positive psychological state

Question 7

Eustress examples

Answer 7

• winning the lottery
• riding a rollercoaster
• going on a first date

Question 8

Distress (negative stress)

Answer 8

a form of stress characterised by a negative psychological state

Question 9

Distress examples

Answer 9

• watching a horror movie
• death of a loved one
• losing your keys and being late for an appointment

Question 10

Eustress and Distress similarities

Answer 10

• psychological stress response
• cause a physiological stress response that can enhance performance

Question 11

Physiological Stress Response

Answer 11

The physiological (biological) stress response relates to how the body reacts to a stressor

Question 12

Acute Stress

Answer 12

is stress that lasts for a relatively short time. The body typically bounces back well from acute stress if the stress experienced is managed by the person.

Question 13

Chronic Stress

Answer 13

is stress that continues for a prolonged period of time. It involves ongoing demands, pressures and worries that are constant and long-lasting.

Question 14

Fight-flight-freeze

Answer 14

an involuntary response to a threatening, fearful or otherwise
stressful situation, involving physiological changes produced by the sympathetic nervous system

Question 15

Cortisol

Answer 15

a hormone that is released in times of stress to aid the body in initiating and maintaining heightened arousal (primary stress hormone).

Question 16

Role of cortisol in chronic stress

Answer 16

It causes the body’s functions to operate at heightened levels, depleting the energy required to fight off bacteria

Question 17

HPA Axis

Answer 17

activated at a slower, longer-lasting (chronic) response to stress, which induces the release of cortisol into the bloodstream

Question 18

Hypothalamus (HPA Axis)

Answer 18

(brain structure) à stimulates the pituitary gland

Question 19

Pituitary gland (HPA Axis)

Answer 19

(just below the hypothalamus) à releases the hormone adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) into the bloodstream (which is carried to the adrenal cortex in the adrenal glands).

Question 20

Adrenal glands (HPA Axis)

Answer 20

(at the top of the kidneys) à secrete stress hormones known as corticosteroids (cortisol is most abundant).

Question 21

Adrenal glands (HPA Axis)

Answer 21

(at the top of the kidneys) à secrete stress hormones known as corticosteroids (cortisol is most abundant).