Unit 3, Aos 1, Dp 6 - Stress as a Biological Process

Question 1

General Adaption Syndrome (GAS)

Answer 1

a biological model involving three stages of physiological reactions that a person experiences in response to a persistent stressor
- proposed by Hans Seyle

Question 2

General Adaption Syndrome (typical response pattern)

Answer 2

Stage 1 - Alarm-reaction
Stage 2 - Resistance
Stage 3 - Exhaustion

Question 3

Alarm-Reaction Stage

Answer 3

the first stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome involves the initial
decrease and subsequent increase in bodily arousal in response to an immediate stressor

Question 4

Shock Phase

Answer 4

• The body experiences a temporary state of shock. It
  reacts as though it has been injured.
• Resistance to stress falls below normal functioning as
  well as their ability to deal with the stressor, are reduced
  to below normal.

Question 5

Countershock Phase

Answer 5

• The activation of the sympathetic nervous system
  causes physiological reactions to occur.
• The sympathetic nervous system responses occur that
  mobilize the body to respond to the stressor.

Question 6

Resistance Stage

Answer 6

the second stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome involving maintaining high levels of bodily arousal in response to a persistent stressor
- cortisol (supports resistance) is released into the bloodstream to further energise the body and help repair any damage that may have occured

Question 7

Exhaustion Stage

Answer 7

the third stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome involves the depletion of energy levels and bodily resources, resulting in an inability to cope with the stressor
- resistance falls below normal
- Prolonged cortisol and other stress hormones have been present in the bloodstream for a long time, and this suppresses immune system functioning

Question 8

GAS Model Strengths

Answer 8

• The GAS recognises a predictable pattern of
  physiological responses associated with distinct stages
  and substages, which can be measured in individuals.
• The GAS recognises the relationship between chronic
  stress and illness.
• The GAS provides objective, empirical information
  about the biological processes involved in the stress
  response.

Question 9

GAS Model Limitations

Answer 9

• The GAS is based on research that was conducted on
  rats, reducing the generalisability of the model to the
  human population.
• The GAS only focuses on the biological aspects of
  stress. It ignores the importance of psychological
  factors, including emotion and cognition, in the stress
  response.
• Fails to recognize the subjective nature of the stress
  response, meaning that different people respond to
  different stressors in unique ways.