6. STRESS

Question 1

What is stress?

Answer 1

A cognitive perception of uncontrollability or unpredictability expressed in a physiological and behavioural response.

Question 2

What are the three categories of stressors?

Answer 2

Catastrophes, significant life events, and daily hassles.

Question 3

What is homeostasis?

Answer 3

The body’s ability to maintain internal stability despite external changes.

Question 4

What is the fight-or-flight response?

Answer 4

A physiological reaction to stress involving the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline.

Question 5

Who coined the term “fight-or-flight”?

Answer 5

Walter Cannon.

Question 6

What is the general adaptation syndrome (GAS)?

Answer 6

Hans Selye’s model of the body’s response to stress, with three stages: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

Question 7

What are the three stages of GAS?

Answer 7

Alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

Question 8

What happens during the alarm stage of GAS?

Answer 8

The body activates the stress response, releasing adrenaline and cortisol.

Question 9

What happens during the resistance stage of GAS?

Answer 9

The body adapts to the stressor but remains on alert.

Question 10

What happens during the exhaustion stage of GAS?

Answer 10

The body’s resources are depleted, leading to fatigue and illness.

Question 11

What is the sympathetic adrenal-medullary (SAM) system?

Answer 11

The system responsible for the acute stress response (fight-or-flight).

Question 12

What hormones are released by the SAM system?

Answer 12

Adrenaline and noradrenaline.

Question 13

What is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis?

Answer 13

The system responsible for the chronic stress response.

Question 14

What hormone is released by the HPA axis?

Answer 14

Cortisol.

Question 15

What is the difference between SAM and HPA?

Answer 15

SAM handles short-term stress; HPA handles long-term stress.

Question 16

What are the effects of cortisol?

Answer 16

Increases glucose levels, suppresses the immune system, and maintains alertness.

Question 17

What is eustress?

Answer 17

Positive stress that enhances performance.

Question 18

What is distress?

Answer 18

Negative stress that impairs performance.

Question 19

What is the Yerkes-Dodson law?

Answer 19

The relationship between stress and performance: moderate stress improves performance, but excessive stress reduces it.

Question 20

What is cognitive appraisal in stress?

Answer 20

The process of evaluating a stressor’s impact and determining coping strategies.

Question 21

What are the two types of cognitive appraisal?

Answer 21

Primary and secondary appraisal.

Question 22

What is primary appraisal?

Answer 22

Evaluating the significance of the stressor (e.g., danger or challenge).

Question 23

What is secondary appraisal?

Answer 23

Assessing one’s ability to cope with the stressor.

Question 24

What is reappraisal?

Answer 24

Reevaluating the stressor after coping attempts.

Question 25

What are problem-based coping strategies?

Answer 25

Strategies that involve directly addressing the stressor (e.g., planning, seeking advice).

Question 26

What are emotion-based coping strategies?

Answer 26

Strategies aimed at managing emotional responses (e.g., venting, seeking support).

Question 27

What is social support?

Answer 27

Emotional, informational, or practical help from others.

Question 28

What is resilience?

Answer 28

The ability to adapt and recover from stress or adversity.

Question 29

What factors influence resilience?

Answer 29

Genetics, personality, coping strategies, and social support.

Question 30

What is the diathesis-stress model?

Answer 30

A theory that suggests stress triggers the onset of psychological disorders in vulnerable individuals.

Question 31

What is burnout?

Answer 31

Chronic workplace stress that leads to exhaustion and reduced effectiveness.

Question 32

What is learned helplessness?

Answer 32

A condition in which individuals feel powerless due to repeated exposure to uncontrollable stressors.

Question 33

What are the physical effects of chronic stress?

Answer 33

Increased risk of heart disease, weakened immune system, and digestive issues.

Question 34

What is allostatic load?

Answer 34

The cumulative wear and tear on the body due to chronic stress.

Question 35

How does stress affect the immune system?

Answer 35

Chronic stress suppresses immune function, making individuals more prone to illness.

Question 36

What is the effect of stress on memory?

Answer 36

Acute stress enhances memory; chronic stress impairs it.

Question 37

What is the difference between trait and state anxiety?

Answer 37

Trait anxiety is a stable characteristic; state anxiety is temporary.

Question 38

How can stress be measured?

Answer 38

Through physiological measures (e.g., heart rate, cortisol levels) or self-report scales.