Health Psychology (Ch. 14) Flashcards
(32 cards)
Behavior Change Model: definiton? steps?
describes the process by which individuals give up bad habits and adopt healthier lifestyles; precontemplation, contemplation, preparation/determination, action/willpower, maintenance
precontemplation
individuals are not ready to think about changing and may not even be aware of their problem
contemplation
individuals acknowledge that they have a problem but are not ready to change
preparation/determination
individuals are preparing to take action
action/willpower
individuals commit to making a behavioral change and enact a plan
maintenance
individuals commit to making behavioral change over time
transcendence
when an individual no longer consciously engaged in maintaining their healthy lifestyle
relapse
a return to former unhealthy patterns
Selye’s General Adaptive Syndrome
the common effects on the body when demands are placed on it; alarm stage, resistance stage, exhaustion stage
alarm stage
is a temporary state of shock during which resistance to illness and stress falls below normal limits; endocrine and sympathetic nervous system are highly activated
resistance stage
when glands throughout the body manufacture different hormones that protect the individual so the body can fight off infection with remarkable efficiency
exhaustion stage
the body can no longer combat stress and the person might collapse in exhaustion and vulnerability to disease increases; serious irreversible damage can occur
Type B
relaxed and easygoing, the healthiest type
Type A
excessively competitive, hard-driven, impatient, and hostile; related to the incidence of heart disease
Type D
generally distressed, frequently experience negative emotions, and are socially inhibited
Personality Factors of Healthy Living
conscientiousness, sense of personal control, self-efficacy, optimism
conscientiousness
tend to do things that are good for their health
sense of personal control (internal locus of control)
related to emotional well0being, successful coping, healthy behavior change, good health
optimism
associated with taking proactive steps to protect one’s health and views causes of bad events as external, unstable, and specific
self-efficy (healthy living)
influences whether individuals try to develop healthy habits, effort expended in coping with stress, persistence in the face of obstacles, and how much stress is experienced
Stress and health
activation of dormant viruses, weakens immune system, poor cardiovascular function, high blood pressure, heart disease, early death, cancer development
primary appraisal
when individuals interpret if an event involves harm, loss, threat, or challenge
secondary appraisal
when individuals evaluate their resources and determine how effectively they can be coped with
problem-focusing coping
when your squarely facing one’s troubles and trying to solve them
