3A - Stress (Internal and External stressors)

Question 1

define stress

Answer 1

a psychological and physiological experience that occurs when an individual encounters something of significance that demands their attention and/or efforts to cope

Question 2

define stressor

Answer 2

a stimulus (internal or external) that prompts the stress response

Question 3

define internal stressor

Answer 3

a stimulus from within a person’s body that prompts the stress response
- Internal stressors include the way that we perceive different events that impact our lives, or biological symptoms, such as hunger or illness, that may prompt the stress response

Question 4

biological internal stressors

Answer 4

• are having an illness, disease or condition that causes unpleasant physical symptoms; for example, a virus, cancer or chronic fatigue syndrome, which cause aches and pains or a lack of energy.
• These physical symptoms could impair your ability to complete daily tasks, meet deadlines or attend school or work, therefore causing you stress

Question 5

Psychological internal stressors

Answer 5

• Result from a person’s mental processes – their thoughts, mindset and feelings such as fear
• Having high expectations of yourself is a psychological internal stressor because it places unrealistic pressure on you to be perfect, leading to negative thoughts and inevitably causing you stress.

Question 6

Internal stressors can include:

Answer 6

• Attitude
• Rumination
• Low self-esteem
• Nervous system dysfunction

Question 7

attitude

Answer 7

If someone has a negative attitude (i.e. they are pessimistic), this could make it more likely that they consider a situation to be outside of their capacity to cope, increasing the likelihood of experiencing stress

Question 8

rumination

Answer 8

Repeatedly thinking about the negative components of an event makes it more difficult to overcome, increasing the likelihood of experiencing stress

Question 9

low self-esteem

Answer 9

Someone having a negative opinion of themselves makes it more likely that they do not believe in their capacity to overcome a stressful situation, increasing the likelihood of experiencing stress

Question 10

nervous system functioning

Answer 10

The dysfunction of the production of certain neurotransmitters, such as gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), could make it more likely to experience a stress response

Question 11

define external stressors

Answer 11

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

Question 12

external stressors can include

Answer 12

• a test or an exam
• meeting new people
• arguments with friends and/or family members
• working long hours
• financial difficulties

Question 13

external stressors include environmental events and social or cultural stressors

Answer 13

• loud noises and extreme temperatures
• life events, such as planning a wedding or graduating from high school
• loss of a significant relationship, such as through divorce or death
• environmental catastrophes, such as earthquakes, bushfires and floods

Question 14

define distress

Answer 14

a form of stress characterised by a negative psychological state
- Often occurs when a stressor presents an individual with an undesirable circumstance that appears to lead only to a negative outcome
- prompts high performance, however if it becomes so overwhelming that an individual cannot cope, performance may decrease

Question 15

example of distress

Answer 15

When a person loses the keys to their car, they often experience distress. Losing car keys is likely to cause somebody to be late to their commitments, or even become a financial burden if the keys need to be replaced. As a result, emotions like worry and frustration occur as the individual contemplates the major inconveniences brought about by not finding their keys.

Question 16

define eustress

Answer 16

a form of stress characterised by a positive psychological state
- Involves positive emotions, such as feeling inspired and motivated, and tends to occur when the stressor provides a positive opportunity or circumstance for the individual
- high levels of eustress prompt an increase in performance and functioning

Question 17

example of eustress

Answer 17

Being offered a place at university can be stressful in that it demands change and effort, but it often results in positive emotions, such as feeling motivated and excited for personal growth

Question 18

connection between eustress and distress

Answer 18

• Eustress and distress as psychological stress responses are significant in that they demonstrate that stress is highly subjective; what may elicit eustress for one individual may elicit distress for another
• Furthermore, eustress and distress are not static states, meaning that they are open to change and constant reinterpretation by the individual
• For example, what may begin as eustress could later change to distress if the demands of the stressor change

Question 19

define acute stress

Answer 19

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

Question 20

The FFF response in acute stress

Answer 20

• In order to survive, an organism (a living thing) must quickly respond and activate their physiological responses.
• This type of stress can be beneficial because it can help us deal more effectively with the challenge.
• However, it can also be more intense and involve life-threatening situations, such as being the victim of an assault.
• Once the stressor is removed or is successfully dealt with, we tend to make a quick recovery, and our body promptly returns to homeostasis

Question 21

define FFF response

Answer 21

an automatic biological response to a perceived stressor that increases an individuals chances of survival in an environment
- adaptive in some way for an organism, helping it to survive in the face of a stressor
- a common response during acute stres

Question 22

define flight response

Answer 22

involves avoiding or escaping the stressor; for example, quickly running out of your home to escape an intruder
- sympathetic nervous system is dominant/ activated, prompting adrenaline release

Question 23

fight response

Answer 23

which involves dealing with the stressor directly; for example, picking up a cricket bat to potentially hit an intruder in your home
- sympathetic nervous system is dominant/activated, prompting adrenaline release

Question 24

freeze response

Answer 24

which involves the immobilisation of the body such as minimising movement or vocal sounds to avoid detection; for example, hiding quietly in a cupboard when an intruder is in your home
- brief activation of the parasympathetic nervous system and an almost simultaneous activation of the sympathic nervous system

Question 25

Some of the physiological reactions activated by the FFF response include

Answer 25

• increased heart rate and blood flow (fight-flight)
• increased breathing rate (fight-flight)
• drop in blood pressure (freeze)

Question 26

Physiological characteristics - flight

Answer 26

• In the ‘flight’ response, an organism flees from the stressor
• This is generally because escaping the situation is perceived by the organism to be the safest option
• This response also depends on an activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which prompts the release of adrenaline from the adrenal glands and allows the body to quickly flee from the threat

Question 27

Physiological characteristics - fight

Answer 27

• In the ‘fight’ response, an organism confronts their stressor
• This reaction is characterised by the activation of sympathetic responses that energise the body and make it better able to deal with danger.
• This is done, for example, through the sympathetic nervous system prompting adrenaline to be released from the adrenal glands

Question 28

Physiological characteristics - freeze

Answer 28

• The ‘freeze’ response involves the body’s immobility and shock when faced with a threatening stressor.
• It occurs when the body perceives the stressor as too overwhelming to respond immediately, leading to a physical ‘freeze’ as it assesses the situation.
• This response can be triggered by a perception of insufficient energy or time to confront or escape the stressor, and it briefly activates both the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems, often lasting only seconds.

Question 29

Fight or flight responses

Answer 29

• Fight or flight responses entail similar physiological reactions like heightened heart rate, sweating, and dilated pupils.
• These responses are initiated by the sympathetic subdivision of the autonomic nervous system.
• The autonomic nervous system functions unconsciously to regulate bodily functions and arousal levels, increasing arousal when a threat or stressor is detected, thereby preparing the body to confront the situation and enhance survival chances.

Question 30

Freeze response

Answer 30

• The freeze response is deemed adaptive, akin to animals freezing or ‘playing dead’ when confronted by predators.
• Known as ‘tonic immobility’, this response involves motor and vocal inhibitions.
• Freezing serves as a preparatory mechanism for the nervous system to swiftly transition into fight or flight mode, acting as a parasympathetic brake on certain bodily systems rather than a passive state.

Question 31

The role of cortisol in chronic stress

Answer 31

• Stress triggers a series of hormonal and physiological reactions in the body.
• Activation of the adrenal glands, as part of the fight or flight response, leads to the release of stress hormones like adrenaline.
• These hormones prompt biological responses such as heightened heart and respiratory rates.
• In prolonged stress situations, cortisol is produced and released by the adrenal cortex, enabling the body to sustain a heightened state of alertness over extended periods.

Question 32

define chronic stress

Answer 32

a form of stress that endures for several months or longer
- does not demand an immediate response, but rather a long-term biological response that will energise the body over a period of weeks or months

Question 33

effect of chronic stress

Answer 33

• Chronic stress has detrimental effects on the body, including immune suppression, digestive and reproductive system disturbances, heightened risk of cardiovascular issues, and accelerated ageing.
• Mental health can also suffer, leading to increased vulnerability to anxiety, depression, and other disorders.
• Despite being less intense than acute stress, chronic stress takes longer to recover from due to its persistent nature and ongoing health implications.

Question 34

define cortisol

Answer 34

a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that regulates a wide range of bodily processes and is released in response to stress

Question 35

cortisol process

important

Answer 35

• It is released into the bloodstream, raising blood sugar levels during fight or flight, allowing the body to maintain above-average arousal levels even after the FFF is over → provides energy to deal with the stressor
• However, when stress is long term, cortisol levels in the bloodstream remain high which can suppress the immune system, making us vulnerable to illness

Question 36

cortisol and the FFF response

Answer 36

• During the FFF response, cortisol helps to energise the body by inducing the release of glucose and a rise in blood-sugar levels.
• However, unlike adrenaline and noradrenaline, cortisol also helps the body to remain at above-average levels of arousal even after this initial FFF response is over.
• Due to cortisol being stimulated by a different pathway when compared to adrenaline and noradrenaline, cortisol is released over a more prolonged period and therefore takes longer to be secreted into the body.
• This allows the body to continue to deal with stress for longer, rather than simply face an imminent threat

Question 37

During the stress response, cortisol serves the adaptive functions of:

Answer 37

• increasing blood sugar levels
• improving metabolism
• energising the body
• reducing inflammation

Question 38

cortisol and chronic stress

important*

Answer 38

• when stress is long-term and high cortisol levels remain in the bloodstream, cortisol can suppress the immune system.
• This is because it causes the body’s functions to operate at heightened levels, depleting the energy required to fight off bacteria.
• The body cannot maintain high levels of cortisol forever, and eventually its stores will deplete.

Question 39

benefits of cortisol in times of chronic stress

Answer 39

• boosting our energy levels and increasing blood glucose levels
• heightening our alertness, increasing the brain’s use of glucose
• increasing the body’s ability to repair tissue
• diverting energy from non-essential bodily functions such as digestion, growth and reproduction

Question 40

limitations of cortisol in times of chronis stress

Answer 40

• high levels of cortisol in our bloodstream for prolonged periods can be detrimental.
• Cortisol suppresses the immune system, making us more susceptible to colds and contagious illnesses.
• When we experience ongoing chronic stress, our risk of cancer and autoimmune diseases, as well as psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and depression, increases

Question 41

psychological stress response

• summarised

Answer 41

• Stressful situations are subjective and vary among individuals based on their personal assessments.
• Psychological processes differ for each person, leading to varied interpretations of stressors.
• Emotional responses, like excitement or worry, accompany the perception of stress.
• Eustress and distress illustrate the psychological aspect of stress, experienced uniquely by individuals, contrasting with more objective physiological stress responses.

Question 42

physiological stress responses

• summarised

Answer 42

• Physiological stress responses exhibit consistency across individuals.
• Instances like an increased heart rate during scary scenes in movies demonstrate this universality.
• These responses, triggered by the nervous system, are fairly consistent, regardless of the individual.
• They reflect how the body reacts to stressors and are generally experienced similarly among different people, although variations may arise based on the duration and intensity of the stressor.