W 9 Emotions, stress & Illness Flashcards
stress -
stress is regarded as a reflection of an incompatibility between the individual and his/her environment
Approach “Stress as a stimulus” and it’s critique:
Stimulus-based approaches are concerned with identifying aspects of the environment which have an adverse effect on the psychological and physiological processes of an individual. Some stressors may impact us, others - not so much
critique:
- This view tends to be too mechanistic within its definition arising predominantly from physics and engineering and attempts to equate human stress with the one observed in inanimate objects such as metals and iron.
- Particular situations are not inherently stressful since there are large variations in the effects of environmental stressors and therefore there are large individual differences in response to such environments.
- There are variations amongst individual responses. (PTSD, schizophrenia, divorce, anxiety: people have diff perception of diff stressors)
PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder: one experiences event, that is outside their expectations and they feel like they have no control over their life.
Approach “Stress as a response” and it’s critique:
stress is thought to be the response which is shown in an adverse or stressful situation. Selye (1956) - the author, three stage process in terms of the stress response - GAS (General Adaptation Syndrome).
critique:
- approach is too inflexible and mechanistic
- views the stress response as a non specific, and automatic to all stressors
GAS (General Adaptation Syndrome): three stage process in terms of the stress response -
- Initial Alarm reaction stage
- Resistance stage representing functional recovery to a lever superior to the pre-stressor level
- Exhaustion. If the stressor continues then there is a depletion and breakdown of the recovery process activated in the previous two stages.
Approach “Stress as a Perceived threat”
- Lazarus, 1976
- View of stress as both stimulus and response: stress occurs when there are demands on an individual which cannot cope or adapt to it => stress is not associated with specific stimulus or specific response but arises when an individual perceives and evaluates a situation as threatening. The evaluation is based on an assessment of the demands of a situation and of the individual’s capacity or coping mechanisms for dealing with these demands => variation of individuals in response to stressors since the
individual’s evaluation becomes a key factor => individual differences
Physiological response to stress:
- adrenal gland plays a central role in regulating the responses of an animal to the threats or demands imposed on it
- Initial Response: increased activity of sympathetic system which acts in conjunction with catecholamine secretions of the adrenal medulla. It is collectively referred to as emergency/alarm reactions (if stressor is relatively minor then there is no further reaction)
- If stressor persists, or it is more intense, then the response system involving the adrenal cortex will be increasingly involving the hypothalamus and the release of a series of hormones
Psychological response to stress
• An Initial Alarm and shock state result in endocrine and physiological responses
• Coping strategies are activated as the individual attempts to find way of dealing with the subjectively harmful or unpleasant situation.
- If these strategies are successful the alarm reaction and anxiety states subsides
- If these strategies fail and the stressor continues to affect behaviour, a range of psychological reactions, including depression and withdrawal may occur.
Factors Mediating Response to stress (5):
• Prior experience
• Information
• Individual differences
• Perceived control
• Social support
Psychosocial Factors and disease (3):
• Social Class
• Occupational factors
• Life style
