Unit 3.1.6 A Biological Model of Stress Flashcards
1
Q
GAS
A
- General adptation syndrome
- Biological model of stress
- Proposes we have a non-specific biological response to stress
- Occurs in three stages
2
Q
Alarm reaction stage
A
- First stage of the GAS
- In which we become aware of the stressor
- Consists of 2 substages: shock + countershock
3
Q
Shock
A
- First substage of the alarm reaction stage of the GAS
- The body’s ability to deal with the stressor falls below normal
- Drop (in diagram) reps freeze response - parasympathetic
4
Q
Biological changes during the shock substage
A
- Temp drops
- HR drops
- BR drops
- Loss of muscular tone
5
Q
Countershock
A
- Second substage of alarm reaction stage of the GAS
- Body’s ability to deal with the stressor rises above normal
- Adrenaline + cortisol released
- (Resistance to stress increases)
- Fight/flight response - sympathetic
6
Q
Biological changes during the countershock substage
A
- Temp rises
- HR rises
- BR rises
- Muscles tense
7
Q
Resistance stage
A
- Second stage of the GAS
- Stressor persists
- Body’s resources are maximised to cope + adapt over time
- Resistance to stressor is well above normal
- Cortisol levels at their hightest (increase energy levels)
8
Q
Biological changes in the resistance stage
A
- Immune system lowered if cortisol is ongoing
- Making you more susceptible to infection (cold, flu, COVID)
9
Q
Exhaustion stage
A
- Third stage of the GAS
- Continued depletion of energy stores + high levels of hormones (i.e. cortisol) decrease resistance to stressor + impair immune system
- Resistance to stressor is well below normal
- Ongoing stressors deplete physical resources
10
Q
Biological changes in exhaustion stage
A
Significant illness + physical conditions such as:
- Obesity
- Heart failure
- Diabetes
- Sleep disturbances
- Fatigue
11
Q
Strengths of the GAS
A
- Measures predictable pattern
- Identifies various biological processes that occur in a stress response
- Found the greater the intensity of the stressor, the greater the physiological response
12
Q
Limitations of the GAS
A
- Research wasn’t conducted on humans (rats)
- Doesn’t account for individual differences + psychological factors
