What is stress? Flashcards
Describe stress…
- Stress is the body’s natural response to a threat or pressure
- It is an innate biological response of evolutionary origins
- It links to evolution because stressors used to by physical; unlike the social and emotional/psychological stressors we face today
- FIGHT OR FLIGHT RESPONSE - is hardwired into our brains as a response to danger in order to protect and prepare our bodies for physical action
What is the fight or flight response
It is hardwired into our brains as a response to danger in order to protect and prepare our bodies for physical action
Define Stress according to the transactional model of stress*
The transactional model of stress suggests that when there is a discrepancy or imbalance exists between perceived demands and perceived coping abilities; then a state of stress exists. How much stress individuals experience is in their perception of themselves and their world
What are the Physical signs of the body preparing for stressful situations? (4)
- Increased heart rate and depth of breathing
- Increased glycogen to glucose for energy
- Increased muscle tension for strength
- Increased blood clotting in preparation for tissue
damage
The Benefits vs. the costs of Stress?
- Clearly beneficial to remove us from danger
- (Evolutionarily advantageous)
- Calorie expenditure at that rate is unhealthy - the body can’t afford to maintain it
- Interfered with activities such as hunting, making alliances and mating
- Chronic stress had an adverse effect on immune system - unable to fight infection
Define stress as a stimulus
Characteristics of an environmental event or situation (something that happens to us). Sources of stress (stressors) include life changes and work place stressors
Define stress as a response
what happens within us as a result of environmental events or situations such as physiological responses
What is a stressor?
> Any stimulus that produces a stress response in a person
An unpleasant event that leads to stress (a cause)
Stressors are not objective, as they don’t produce the same response in all people: they are subjective
Acute stressors – sudden, very temporary stressor
Chronic stressors – on-going stressors
- The HYPOTHALAMUS coordinates the response to both
Short term stressors
> The body is involved with preparing itself for fight of flight, and producing necessary resources to do these – ACUTE
What is another word for short term stress?
ACUTE
What is long term (CHRONIC) stress?
> The body’s main focus is to keep us going while we cope with the effects of prolonged stress
What is the proper term for long term stress?
Chronic
