3B Selye's General Adaptation Syndrome

Question 1

what type of process is the GAS model?

Answer 1

biological process

Question 2

what are the three stages?

Answer 2

alarm reaction, resistance and exhaustion

Question 3

what are the substages of alarm reaction?

Answer 3

shock and counter shock

Question 4

what is alarm reaction?

Answer 4

initial response to a stressor, first the body goes into shock and ability to deal with the stressor falls below normal, body temp and blood pressure decrease. then the body rebounds into counter shock where the sympathetic nervous system activates to energise the body to respond e.g increased heart rate. adrenaline is released during this stage

Question 5

what is resistance?

Answer 5

resistance to stress is above normal as the individual continues to fight the stressor and appears as though normal. cortisol is released to energise the body to respond, and unnecessary processes can be shut down e.g mensturation

Question 6

what is exhaustion?

Answer 6

involves depletion of energy levels and bodily resources which results in inability to cope with a stressor. cortisol and stress hormones have been present for a prolonged amount of time, suppressing immune system functioning. indications of major illness like extreme fatigue, depression symptoms.

Question 7

strengths of the GAS model?

Answer 7

• recognises relationship between stress and illness
• provides objective, empirical information about biological processes involved in the stress response.

Question 8

limitations of GAS model?

Answer 8

• only focuses on biological aspects, ignoring importance of physiological factors
• tested on rats, not humans