Chapter 4

Question 1

What is stress?

Answer 1

Stress is the body’s response to a perceived threat or challenge, involving physiological, emotional, and behavioral changes.

Question 2

What are the effects of chronic stress?

Answer 2

Chronic stress can contribute to mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression, as well as physical illnesses like hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

Question 3

What is affective neuroscience?

Answer 3

Affective neuroscience is the study of how brain structures and functions regulate emotions, including fear, happiness, and sadness.

Question 4

How does affective neuroscience relate to mental health?

Answer 4

This field helps explain how emotional regulation affects mental health conditions like depression, PTSD, and anxiety disorders.

Question 5

What is burnout?

Answer 5

Burnout is a state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged exposure to stress, particularly in work-related environments.

Question 6

What are the symptoms of burnout?

Answer 6

Symptoms include fatigue, cynicism, and reduced personal accomplishment, and it is linked to mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.

Question 7

What is stereotype threat?

Answer 7

Stereotype threat occurs when individuals underperform in a task due to fear of confirming negative stereotypes about their social group.

Question 8

What are the effects of stereotype threat?

Answer 8

This phenomenon can increase stress responses and impair cognitive performance, particularly in educational and workplace settings.

Question 9

What is the SAM axis?

Answer 9

The SAM axis is the body’s rapid-response system to acute stress, activating the sympathetic nervous system and releasing adrenaline.

Question 10

What are the consequences of chronic activation of the SAM axis?

Answer 10

Chronic activation of the SAM axis can lead to long-term cardiovascular issues, such as high blood pressure and heart disease.

Question 11

What is the HPA axis?

Answer 11

The HPA axis regulates the body’s response to stress by releasing cortisol, a hormone that helps manage energy and immune function.

Question 12

What happens with dysregulation of the HPA axis?

Answer 12

Dysregulation of the HPA axis is associated with conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, and chronic inflammation.

Question 13

What is homeostasis?

Answer 13

Homeostasis is the body’s ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite external changes, such as regulating body temperature.

Question 14

How does chronic stress affect homeostasis?

Answer 14

Chronic stress can disrupt homeostasis by overactivating stress responses, leading to imbalances in immune function and metabolism.

Question 15

What are corticosteroids?

Answer 15

Corticosteroids are stress-related hormones, including cortisol, that help regulate metabolism, immune responses, and inflammation.

Question 16

What are the effects of long-term exposure to high corticosteroid levels?

Answer 16

Long-term exposure to high corticosteroid levels due to chronic stress can suppress immune function and contribute to metabolic disorders.

Question 17

What is the ‘tend and befriend’ response?

Answer 17

The ‘tend and befriend’ response is a stress-coping mechanism, particularly in women, that involves seeking social support and nurturing behavior.

Question 18

What role does oxytocin play in stress?

Answer 18

This theory suggests that oxytocin plays a role in reducing stress by promoting bonding and social connection.

Question 19

What is ecological momentary assessment (EMA)?

Answer 19

EMA is a research method that collects real-time data on individuals’ behaviors, emotions, and physiological responses in their natural environments.

Question 20

What insights does EMA provide?

Answer 20

This approach provides valuable insights into how daily stressors and coping strategies influence mental and physical health.

Question 21

What is cardiovascular reactivity (CVR)?

Answer 21

CVR refers to the body’s changes in heart rate and blood pressure in response to stress.

Question 22

What is the risk associated with high CVR?

Answer 22

High CVR is associated with an increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease over time.

Question 23

What is the reactivity hypothesis?

Answer 23

The reactivity hypothesis suggests that individuals with exaggerated cardiovascular responses to stress are at a higher risk for heart disease.

Question 24

What does the reactivity hypothesis highlight?

Answer 24

This model highlights how chronic stress responses can contribute to long-term cardiovascular problems.

Question 25

What is respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA)?

Answer 25

RSA is the natural fluctuation of heart rate during breathing, reflecting parasympathetic nervous system activity.

Question 26

What does higher RSA indicate?

Answer 26

Higher RSA is associated with better emotional regulation and resilience to stress, while lower RSA is linked to anxiety and depression.

Question 27

What is psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)?

Answer 27

PNI is the study of how psychological processes, the nervous system, and the immune system interact.

Question 28

How does stress affect immune function according to PNI?

Answer 28

This field explains how stress weakens immune function, increasing susceptibility to illnesses such as infections and autoimmune disorders.

Question 29

What is allostatic load?

Answer 29

Allostatic load refers to the cumulative wear and tear on the body from repeated exposure to chronic stress.

Question 30

What are the health risks associated with high allostatic load?

Answer 30

High allostatic load increases the risk of diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and cognitive decline.

Question 31

What is the glucocorticoid receptor (GCR) resistance model?

Answer 31

The GCR resistance model suggests that chronic stress leads to reduced sensitivity of glucocorticoid receptors, impairing immune regulation.

Question 32

What does the GCR resistance model explain?

Answer 32

This model explains why prolonged stress contributes to inflammation and a higher risk of diseases such as depression and autoimmune conditions.

Question 33

What is the general adaptation syndrome (GAS)?

Answer 33

GAS describes the three-stage physiological response to stress: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

Question 34

What can prolonged stress exposure lead to in terms of GAS?

Answer 34

Prolonged stress exposure can lead to exhaustion, weakening the immune system and increasing disease vulnerability.

Question 35

What is the transactional model of stress?

Answer 35

The transactional model of stress emphasizes that stress is a dynamic interaction between an individual and their environment.

Question 36

What role do cognitive appraisals play in the transactional model?

Answer 36

It highlights the role of cognitive appraisals in determining whether a situation is perceived as stressful or manageable.

Question 37

What is primary appraisal?

Answer 37

Primary appraisal is the initial evaluation of whether a situation is threatening, challenging, or irrelevant.

Question 38

What can a high-threat appraisal trigger?

Answer 38

A high-threat appraisal can trigger a strong physiological stress response, while a challenge appraisal may promote resilience.

Question 39

What is secondary appraisal?

Answer 39

Secondary appraisal involves assessing available coping resources and determining how to respond to a stressor.

Question 40

What are the outcomes of effective and ineffective secondary appraisals?

Answer 40

Effective secondary appraisals lead to adaptive coping strategies, while ineffective ones can result in increased distress.

Question 41

What does the diathesis-stress model suggest?

Answer 41

The diathesis-stress model suggests that psychological disorders result from a combination of genetic vulnerabilities (diathesis) and environmental stressors.

Question 42

What does the diathesis-stress model explain?

Answer 42

This model explains why some individuals develop disorders like depression or schizophrenia under stress, while others do not.

Question 43

What is reactivity?

Answer 43

Reactivity refers to an individual's physiological and emotional response to stress, including heart rate, blood pressure, and hormone secretion.

Question 44

What are the health risks associated with high stress reactivity?

Answer 44

High stress reactivity is associated with greater health risks, such as cardiovascular disease and anxiety disorders.

Question 45

What is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Answer 45

PTSD is a mental health disorder that develops after exposure to a traumatic event, characterized by flashbacks, anxiety, and hyperarousal.

Question 46

What neurobiological changes contribute to PTSD symptoms?

Answer 46

Neurobiological changes, such as hyperactivity of the amygdala and dysregulation of the HPA axis, contribute to PTSD symptoms.

Question 47

What are microaggressions?

Answer 47

Microaggressions are subtle, often unintentional discriminatory comments or behaviors that negatively impact marginalized groups.

Question 48

What are the effects of chronic exposure to microaggressions?

Answer 48

Chronic exposure to microaggressions can contribute to stress, anxiety, and decreased psychological well-being.

Question 49

What does minority stress theory propose?

Answer 49

Minority stress theory proposes that individuals from marginalized groups experience additional stress due to discrimination, prejudice, and social stigma.

Question 50

What are the consequences of minority stress?

Answer 50

This chronic stress exposure contributes to higher rates of mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, among minority populations.