Dot Point 4 Flashcards
What is a stressor?
A stressor is any stimulus that causes stress. It can range from mild stress (e.g., forgetting your phone) to life-changing stress (e.g., loss of a loved one).
What are internal and external stressors?
Internal stressor: A stimulus originating from within the individual’s mind or body. These can be biological, cognitive, or affective.
External stressor: A stimulus originating from outside the individual, usually social in nature.
Why is stress considered a psychobiological process?
Because it involves both physiological and pschological responses.
What is the definition of stress?
Stress is a state of physiological and psychological arousal produced by internal and external stressors perceived as challenging or exceeding an individual’s ability to cope.
What is eustress?
A positive psychological response to a stressor. It is associated with positive states (e.g., motivation) and provides energy to achieve a goal. It is not harmful to the body.
What is distress?
A negative psychological response to a stressor. It involves negative states (e.g., anxiety, sadness) and can last for a short time or be prolonged, leading to serious health consequences.
How does perception determine whether stress is eustress or distress?
Eustress: If a person feels prepared (e.g, for a SAC), the stressor is perceived as positive.
Distress: If a person feels unprepared, the stressor is perceived as negative.
What is acute stress?
A temporary experience of stress characterized by intense psychological and physiological symptoms. It activates the fight-flight-freeze response.
What physiological changes occur in the fight-flight response?
Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Increased breathing rate (more oxygen)
Pupil dilation (more light)
Suppression of non-essential functions (e.g., digestion)
What is chronic stress?
A long-term experience of stress lasting months or longer.
What is cortisol?
A stress hormone released to energize the body during prolonged stress, working alongside adrenaline and noradrenaline.
How does cortisol assist in stress responses?
increasing energy availability – It stimulates the release of glucose into the bloodstream to provide energy for dealing with stress.
Enhancing metabolism – It helps break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates to ensure the body has enough fuel.
Suppressing non-essential functions – It reduces activity in systems like digestion, growth, and the immune response to prioritize immediate survival.
What are the negative effects of prolonged cortisol release?
Weakened immune system, increasing susceptibility to illness.
Increased risk of mental health disorders.
