Environment 1: Stressors Flashcards
What was the aim of Black and Black (2007)?
Stressors in the Environment
-Is health related quality of life worse in a community chronically exposed to aircraft noise than in a community not exposed
-Is long term aircraft noise exposure associated with elevated blood pressure in adults via noise stress ass a mediating factor
What was the sample of Black and Black (2007)?
Stressors in the Environment
They sent out 1500 questionnaires but got 796 responses
What was the method of Black and Black (2007)?
Stressors in the Environment
-The respondents filled out the questionnaire
-Health was measured in relation to physical functioning, general health, vitality, mental health
-Q’s were based on those in the internationally recognised SF-36 instrument
-Hypertension was assessed through closed questions about medical histories to cholesterol levels and high blood pressure
-Annoyance from noise was also assessed to identify noise sources at home then rate from 1-10, 10= extremely annoyed
-Factors that could affect assessment ability were asked about e.g. nutrition
What were the results of Black and Black (2007)?
Stressors in the Environment
-Noise affected group had annoyance score of 6.27, control was 1.03 (mean)
-Mean score of physical physical functioning was lower for aircraft group than control
What was the conclusion of Black and Black (2007)?
Stressors in the Environment
-Individuals who are exposed long-term to high levels of aircraft noise are
more likely to report stress and hypertension compared to those who are not
-Long term exposure to aircraft noise is significantly associated with well-being; it is
significantly related to chronic noise stress -Chronic noise stress is significantly related
to hypertension; those who live in high exposure areas are more annoyed by aircraft noise and health-related quality of life is worse due to aircraft noise
What was Glass and Singer’s study?
Stressors in Environment
Reasons why noise is stressful
-Manipulated different features of noise to try and isolate aspects which cause most stress
-Participants were given cognitive tasks to do and were exposed to recordings that stimulated urban environment sounds
-Independent variables manipulated are:
-Volume
-Predictability (bursts or irregular)
-Perceived control (some pp’s were
shown a switch which they were told
could stop the noise)
-Predictability and perceived control caused most stress
0What was Kenrick and MacFarlane’s study?
Stressors in Environment
Temperature
-How drivers responded in different temperatures when trapped behind a stationary car
-Arizona, USA age 16-65
-Saturdays, hottest time + time of year
-Actor stopped at traffic lights when green for 12 seconds, the participant was behind them
-Another actor observing and counted no. and duration of horn honks
-High temp. was positively correlated with increased likelihood of honking + time leaning on the horn
-Evidence that temp. can be an environmental stressor
What was Lundberg’s study?
Stressors in Environment
Overcrowding on commuter trains
-Conducted in Sweden
-Independent variables is low/high density of people on the train
-Dependent variable is the adrenaline levels in the male passengers urine and self ratings of discomfort and perceived crowdedness
-Adrenaline was higher during crowded conditions but lower for those who got on first
-Length of journey wasn’t a main indicator of stress, rather social factors, crowding, level of control
What was Ellis’ study?
Stressors in Environment
Rational Emotive Therapy
-Form of psychotherapy that helps clients manage self defeating beliefs and develop more rational thoughts
-Activating event
-Beliefs
-Consequences
-Disputing
-Effects
-Therapy to help clients that developed a mental illness from stress
