Stress I Flashcards
What is stress
A pattern of physiological, behavioural and cognitive responses to stimuli (REAL OR IMAGINED) that disturb equilibrium and tax or exceed our ability to cope
What is a stimuli
event that causes stress
what is a response?
the reaction to stress in terms of body, mind or physiology
what is a transaction in regards to stress?
How people evaluate stress and how it influences the response to stress
What is a stressor?
the thing that causes stress
Difference between stimuli and stressor?
Stimuli = event; stressor = thing
Difference between Eustress and Distress
Eustress - good/positive
Distress - negative/bad
What are the levels and associated timelines of the different types of stress?
Micro-stressors: Momentarily-daily
Stress: Days to weeks
Chronic Stress: Months or years
What is an appraisal?
Our perception of the stressor, the cognitive appraisal includes 4 aspects
What are the 4 aspects of the cognitive appraisal for stress?
Demands: Immediate impact of how demanding the event is
Resources: how do you deal with the stressor, fight or flight?
Consequences: After the event is over what are the consequences, good/bad?
Personal Meaning: What does the outcome mean to you?
Describe the fight or flight response (5)
- First defined by Walter Cannon in the 1920’s
- Usually triggered by perceived threat
- Sympathetic Nervous System inhibits non-essential nervous systems
- Epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol and beta endorphins are released, Hypothalamus triggers all responses from other glands
- CORTISOL release: life saving in the moment but prolonged exposure is bad
Define “GAS”
General Adaptation Syndrome:
- First described by Hans Selye
- Description of short and long term reaction to stress
- 3 stages
What are the 3 stages of GAS
Stage 1: Fraction of a second long, first shot of adrenaline, and blood pump to muscles. Initially unable to cope with stress
Stage 2: Most able to cope with stress in this stage, physiological responses are fully engaged to meet the demands.
Stage 3: Exhaustion, you have depleted your resources and burnt out. Damage to the body and even death if prolonged
What is Allostasis?
Your body becomes use to moderate exposure to stress overtime. Allostatic Load: the stress that is put on the body for prolonged time causing wear and tear
What does it mean to “Tend and Befriend”? Who is likely to do this?
Tendency to look for social help, tend to babies and befriend social support. Women tend to do this more, possibly an evolutionary result
