3C - Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping - psychological model of stress

Question 1

Stress as a psychological process

Answer 1

• Many psychological factors can influence how an individual perceives and processes stressors.
• This can affect a person’s unique formulation of the stress response

Question 2

psychological processes

Answer 2

• Psychological processes refer to mental functions, such as learning, memory and problem solving (cognitive), and emotions (affective) and have the potential to shape how an individual may interpret stressors.
• These processes are subjective in nature, meaning that interpretations of stressors are based on or influenced by personal feelings or preferences.
• Psychological processes are unique to every individual and therefore every person will respond to different stressors in different ways.

Question 3

define subjective

Answer 3

something which is based on or influenced by personal feelings or preferences

Question 4

define Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping

Answer 4

a model that suggests a stress response is only elicited if an event is perceived to exceed our ability to cope and is based on our appraisal of the situation

Question 5

what does the Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping suggest?

Answer 5

• it suggests that stress is a subjective ‘transaction’ between an incoming stressor and the personal and environmental factors specific to an individual
• the model explains that the unique stress response of an individual results from their appraisal (an assessment or evaluation of stimuli) of the nature of the stressor and their ability to cope with it.
• According to the model, stress results from a perceived imbalance between the requirements of the stressor and an individual’s available coping resources.
• Therefore, the model views stress from a psychological perspective because it tracks the subjective cognitive and affective interpretations of stress for an individual.
• it proposes that an individual experiences stress when coping resources outweigh the demands of the stressor

Question 6

define appraisal

Answer 6

the process of categorising an event on the basis of its perceived significance and how it may affect our wellbeing

Question 7

why is it referred to as transactional?

Answer 7

• It is referred to as being ‘transactional’ because it explains stress as an ‘output’ resulting from an ‘input’.
• In Lazarus and Folkman’s model, the stressor and its appraisals are inputs, which determine the output of an individual’s unique stress response

Question 8

individuals perception of the stressor

Answer 8

• One of the key determinants of these varied responses is the individual’s perception of the stressor.
• Whether something produces stress depends on the individual’s appraisal of the situation and their coping skills.
• The stress response is only elicited if the individual believes that the stressor may exceed their available resources.
• This has been termed the transactional model of stress and coping where the transaction is between an event (stressor) and the individual.
• The person will assess the significance of an event and whether they can cope with it

Question 9

two forms of appraisal

Answer 9

• primary appraisal (two substages)
• secondary appraisal

Question 10

define primary appraisal

Answer 10

the initial process of evaluating the nature of an incoming stressor, and the specific stress it might cause

Question 11

primary appraisal explanation

Answer 11

• Primary appraisal first involves the individual deciding whether or not the incoming stimulus will actually cause them to experience stress.
• Based on this, the event is categorised as either stressful or not stressful
• If deemed not to be stressful, it will be further categorised as either benign/positive or irrelevant

Question 12

Substage 1 of primary appraisal

Answer 12

• benign/positive
• irrelevant
• stressful

Question 13

define benign/positive

Answer 13

describes a situation or event that is perceived as having a positive outcome for an individual, i.e. it either maintains (benign) or enhances their wellbeing (positive)

Question 14

explain benign/positive

Answer 14

• an initial appraisal of a stimulus as neutral or good that does not cause stress for the individual
• It is characterised by pleasurable emotions such as joy, love and happiness

Question 15

define irrelevant

Answer 15

describes a situation or event that has no implications for an individual’s wellbeing because nothing will be gained or lost, or they are not invested in the situation

Question 16

irrelevant explanation

Answer 16

an initial appraisal of a stimulus as a non-issue for the individual

Question 17

define stressful

Answer 17

an initial appraisal of a stimulus as a source of worry or emotional significance for the individual

Question 18

proceeding in to substage 2

Answer 18

• The transaction continues only if this initial component of primary appraisal evaluates an incoming stimulus as ‘stressful’.
• Otherwise, the incoming stimulus is disregarded.
• If considered to be ‘stressful’, the stimulus (now called a stressor) undergoes further appraisal, being labelled according to the form of stress it causes

Question 19

substage 2 of primary appraisal

Answer 19

If the event is deemed to be stressful, it will be categorised as:
- threat
- harm/loss
- challenge

Question 20

define harm/loss

Answer 20

the damage to the individual that has already occurred as a result of a stressor

Question 21

explain harm/loss

Answer 21

• a further appraisal of a stressor as having caused some damage to the individual
• This means the individual has already experienced direct distress as a result of the stressor
• This is characterised by sadness, despair or anger

Question 22

define threat

Answer 22

the anticipated damage in the future because of an event

Question 23

threat explanation

Answer 23

• a further appraisal of a stressor as potentially causing damage to the individual in the future
• This appraisal causes the individual to experience distress, even if the stressor has not directly caused distress yet
• This is characterised by fear, anxiety and apprehension

Question 24

define challenge

Answer 24

the perceived potential for personal growth or positive change from an event

Question 25

explain challenge

Answer 25

• a further appraisal of a stressor as potentially providing a positive opportunity for growth or change for the individual
• This is characterised by eagerness, excitement and exhilaration

Question 26

define secondary appraisal

Answer 26

when an individual considers the available resources and their own coping strategies, to decide the best way of dealing with a stressor

Question 27

define coping

Answer 27

refers to the process of dealing with a stressor

Question 28

secondary appraisal explanation

Answer 28

• Secondary appraisal is where the individual considers the available resources, as well as their own coping strategies, to decide the best way of dealing with the stressor
• Further stress is created when the individual believes that their coping resources cannot meet the demands of the stressor
• Alternatively, if the individual believes they know what resources are needed to cope with the stressor and that these are available to them, this may prevent any further stress
• By improving an individual’s coping skills or getting them to reappraise the stressor in a more positive light, the transactional model makes it possible to avoid negative stress responses and the person can better cope with the challenge

Question 29

Lazarus and Folkman’s model also details two different kinds of coping strategies individuals may use to deal with a stressor

Answer 29

• Emotion-focused coping
• Problem-focused coping

Question 30

define emotion-focused coping

Answer 30

the use of coping strategies that target the emotional components of a stressor, dealing with it indirectly rather than confronting its source

Question 31

define Problem-focused coping

Answer 31

the use of coping strategies that directly target the source of the stressor, aiming to reduce it in a practical way

Question 32

Emotion-focused coping strategies

Answer 32

• Wishful thinking; ‘I don’t think my exam will be too hard’
• Denial; ‘I don’t even care about my exam’
• Reframing; ‘This exam is really good practise for future exams’
• Optimism; ‘It will surely turn out for the best’
• Venting emotions; ‘Exam periods are so stressful! I feel overwhelmed!’
• Meditation or distraction

Question 33

Problem-focused coping strategies

Answer 33

• Seeking information or advice, whether from medical or mental health professionals, or people with relevant knowledge
• Taking action; ‘I will study for four hours a night’
• Time management; creating a plan for how best to invest time into the stressor, like a study timetable

Question 34

Reappraisal explanation

Answer 34

occurs when something about the original stressor changes or progresses, and so involves a reassessment of the nature of the stressor and resources needed to cope
(Has my interpretation of this stressor changed?)

Question 35

The explanatory power of Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping

Answer 35

• its strengths lie in its acknowledgement of the role cognitive processes play in our experience of stress and how we cope with it.
• It can give us a more positive view of stress because it suggests that we can control and manage it on our own terms.
• It is a powerful model to explain why different people react to stress in different ways
• However, as with any model, it does not always accurately reflect a true lived experience.
• Given that a person’s perception of a ‘stressful experience’ can vary significantly, it can make it difficult to design experiments or stress management interventions that would apply to larger groups or populations
• it does not account for any external factors