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Psychology > 3.1.6-9 stress > Flashcards

3.1.6-9 stress Flashcards

(59 cards)

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1
Q

stress

A

state of physiological or psychological arousal produced by internal or external forces which exceeds a person’s ability to cope

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2
Q

stressor

A

event that causes stress

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3
Q

physical stressor example

A

extreme temperature, noise, light

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4
Q

psychological stressor example

A

changing schools, arguing with friends, failing an exam

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5
Q

internal stressor

A

originating in the organism

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6
Q

external stressor

A

originating outside the organism

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7
Q

stress reactions / responses

A

physiological, psychological and behavioural responses that people experience when they are confronted by a stressor

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8
Q

mild stress

A

can be stimulating, motivating and challenging

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9
Q

acute stress

A

produces very high arousal levels suddenly

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10
Q

chronic stress

A

produces high arousal levels that continue over a long period of time

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11
Q

effect of long term production go cortisol

A

reduced strength of immune system -> illness

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12
Q

psychobiological process

A

stress involves psychological (internal mental processes) and biological (activation of autonomic nervous system) processes

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13
Q

eustress

A

positive psychological response to a stressor as indicated by the presence of positive psychological states

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14
Q

distress

A

negative psychological response to a stressor as indicated by the presence of negative psychological states

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15
Q

process of eustress

A

eustress, sympathetic, goal reached, parasympathetic, body calm and returned to normal

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16
Q

process of distress

A

distress, sympathetic, unpleasant psychological states

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17
Q

sources of stress

A 
daily pressures,
life events.
acculturative stress.
major stressors.
catastrophe
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18
Q

stressor: daily pressures (hassles)

A

little problems of everyday living that are irritants

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19
Q

stressor: life events

A

change that forces individuals to adapt to new circumstances.
e.g. loss of spouse

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20
Q

stressor: acculturative stress

A

stress experienced in trying to adapt to a new culture when living in it.
e.g. language difficulties, discrimination

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21
Q

stressor: major stressors

A

event that is extraordinarily stressful or disturbing for almost everyone who experiences it.
e.g. terminal illness

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22
Q

stressor: catastrophe

A

unpredictable event that causes widespread damage or suffering.
e.g. terrorist attack, bushfire

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23
Q

fight-flight response

A

involuntary physical response to sudden and immediate threat or stressor.
adaptive quick reactions, initiated by brain (hypothalamus).
releases adrenaline

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24
Q

fight response

Study These Flashcards
A

confronting and fighting off the stressor

25
flight response
escaping by running away to safety
26
freeze response
keeping absolutely still and silent, avoiding detection. | 'tonic immobility'
27
HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal)
involves the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and adrenal cortex in a chain of direct influences and feedback interactions. after fight-flight reaction if needed -> stressor is prolonged
28
process of HPA axis
stressor prolonged, hypothalamus stimulates pituitary gland, releases ACTH, stimulate adrenal gland, release cortisol
29
cortisol
hormone secreted from adrenal cortex to primarily energise the body in response to a stressor
30
when is cortisol released
with HPA axis from adrenal cortex
31
effect of cortisol
excessive about of cortisol over prolonged time can suppress immune system functioning and thereby increases vulnerability to illness
32
GAS (general adaptation syndrome)
non-specific 3 stage (ARE) physiological response to stress that occurs regardless of stressor that is encountered
33
GAS: alarm reaction
shock and counter shock. immediate response. body is immobilised to defend against stressor
34
GAS: alarm reaction, shock
organism first becomes aware of stressor -> body goes into temporary state of shock. ability to cope falls below normal.
35
GAS: alarm reaction, counter shock
sympathetic NS activated. body's resistance to stressor increases. adrenaline released
36
GAS: resistance
if stressor not dealt with immediately. maximise resources to cope and adapt. arousal remains high, as body tries to defend against and adapt to stressor -> capacity to deal with stressor rises above normal. cortisol released
37
GAS: exhaustion
if stressor not dealt with during resistance and stress continues. ability to resist may collapse. physical wear and tear
38
strengths of GAS
results: prolonged stress can lead to death in rates. | establishes the grater the intensity of stressor, the greater the physiological response
39
limitations of GAS
cannot be generalised to humans because research done on rats. didn't recognise role of emotions and cognitions in stress response.
40
psychological factors that influence how we respond to stress
prior experience. motivation. self esteem. coping skills
41
lazarus and folkman's transactional model of stress and coping
proposes that stress involves an encounter between an individual and their external environment, and that a stress response depends upon the individuals interpretation (appraisal) of the stressor and their ability to cope with it
42
primary appraisal
evaluation of the significance of a potential stressor / stimulus. irrelevant / benign-positive / stressful. if stressful (harm/loss, threat, challenge)
43
secondary appraisal
evaluation of coping options and resources available for dealing with stressor. problem based coping or emotion based coping
44
reappraisal
assessment of a stressor again or in a different way
45
strengths of lazarus and folk man model
emphasises the personal nature and unique appraisal involved in stress. allows us to reappraise.
46
limitations of lazarus and folk man model
overlooks physiological responses. | linear approach doesn't allow for individual variation in progression through stages
47
coping
describes all the different things we do to manage and reduce the stress experienced as a result of problems, issues or difficult situations that arise in life
48
coping strategy
specific method used to manage or reduce stress produced by a stressor
49
context-specific effectiveness
whether there is a match or 'good fit' between the coping strategy that is used and the stressful situation
50
coping flexibility
ability to effectively modify or adjust one's coping strategies according to the demands of different stressful situations
51
strategies for coping with stress
exercise. | approach and avoidance strategies
52
physical benefits of physical exercise in coping with stress
depletes body of excess stress hormones, relaxes tense muscles and tissues, promotes release of serotonin and endorphins
53
psychological benefits of physical exercise in coping with stress
cognitive: reduces mental fatigue. emotional: promotes positive mood. social: company of others, social support
54
approach strategies in coping with stress
efforts to confront a stressor and deal with it and its effects directly
55
benefits of approach strategies in coping with stress
more adaptive and effective
56
limitations of approach strategies in coping with stress
initially, may increase stress levels. | may require more energy focussed on dealing with it hence less energy towards other life aspects
57
avoidance strategies in coping with stress
efforts that evade a stressor and deal indirectly with it and its effects
58
benefits of avoidance strategies in coping with stress
allows for conservation of energy to focus on other stressors that can be changed. can be more effective with coping in short term
59
limitations of avoidance strategies in coping with stress
maladaptive. | negative consequences

Psychology (8 decks)

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