Stress (3A) Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
1
Q

What is stress?

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is a stressor?

A

A stimulus that can be internal or external that prompts the stress response.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Give an example of an internal stressor.

A

Attitude - negative
Rumination - repeatedly thinking about negative components of an event.
Low self esteem
Nervous system dysfunction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Give an example of an external stressor.

A

A test or exam
Meeting new people
Arguments
Working long hours
Financial difficulties

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is an internal stressor?

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is an external stressor?

A

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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What do psychological processes relate to?

A

Mental processes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What do physiological processes relate to?

A

Bodily processes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What word is the same as physiological and can be used interchangeably?

A

Biological

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Where do internal stressors originate at?

A

From within the individual

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Where do external stressors originate at?

A

From outside the individual

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Eustress and distress are examples of _____________ responses.

A

Psychological

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is distress?

A

A form of stress characterised by a negative psychological state.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is eustress?

A

A form of stress characterised by a positive psychological state.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are two examples of physiological stress responses?

A

Flight-fight-freeze response
Cortisol release

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is acute stress?

A

A form of stress characterised by intense psychological and physiological symptoms that are brief in duration.

17
Q

What is the fight-flight-freeze response?

A

An involuntary and automatic response to a threat that takes the form of either escaping it, confronting it or freezing in the face of it. It is a physiological response.

18
Q

What division of the nervous system is responsible for the fight-flight-freeze response?

A

The sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system.

19
Q

List the physiological characteristics of the flight response.

A

An organism flees from the stressor.
This is usually perceived as the safest option.
Depends on the activation of the sympathetic nervous system which prompts a quick release of adrenaline.

20
Q

List the physiological characteristics of the fight response.

A

An organism confronts the stressor.
The sympathetic division of the nervous system activates to energise the body and make it better able to deal with danger.

21
Q

List the physiological characteristics of the freeze response.

A

The body immobilizes in the face of stress.
Involves a brief activation of the parasympathetic nervous system as some bodily reactions drop below a normal level.
It can also involve the sympathetic nervous system simultaneously.

22
Q

What is chronic stress?

A

A form of stress that endures for several months or longer.

23
Q

What is cortisol?

A

A hormone that is released in times of stress to aid the body in initiating and maintaining heighted arousal.

24
Q

When stress is long term and high cortisol levels continue, what can be the result of this?

A

Suppressing the immune system.

25
Q

What are some responses to acute stress?

A

Cortisol helps to energise the body
Confrontation of the threat
Fleeing from the source of danger
Immobility and shock

26
Q

What are some responses to chronic stress?

A

Enduring release of cortisol
Increased blood sugar levels
Improved metabolism
Energises the body
Reduced inflammation
Immuno-suppression (lowered capability of the immune system)

27
Q

Stress is a
a) psychological response
b) biological process
c) psychological and biological process

A

C
Stress is a response with both psychological and biological components.