Physiology Of Stress GAS

Question 1

What is stress?

Answer 1

Stress is how our body reacts when we are feeling under pressure or threatened in some way.

Stress can be both positive and negative, affecting physical and mental health.

Question 2

How can stress be defined according to Sarafino (2006)?

Answer 2

Stress can be defined in three ways:
* The effect of the environment on the individual
* Stress as a bodily response
* The interaction between the person and the environment

Question 3

What is the first way stress is defined according to Sarafino (2006)?

Answer 3

The effect of the environment on the individual, for example, major life events or chronic stressors.

Examples include living in poverty or inadequate housing.

Question 4

What is the second way stress is defined according to Sarafino (2006)?

Answer 4

Stress as a bodily response focusing on how people respond to stressful events.

Question 5

What is the third way stress is defined according to Sarafino (2006)?

Answer 5

The interaction between the person and the environment, where individuals can choose how to respond to the stressor.

Question 6

What is the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)?

Answer 6

The General Adaptation Syndrome was developed by Hans Seyle and describes the effect of prolonged stress on the body.

Question 7

What are the three stages of the General Adaptation Syndrome?

Answer 7

The three stages are:
* Alarm stage
* Resistance stage
* Exhaustion stage

Question 8

What happens during the alarm stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome?

Answer 8

The body prepares for a flight or fight response after the amygdala is alerted.

Question 9

Which part of the brain is alerted during the alarm stage?

Answer 9

The amygdala.

Question 10

What does the hypothalamus activate during the alarm stage?

Answer 10

The hypothalamus activates the sympathetic nervous system.

Question 11

What hormones are released during the alarm stage of the General Adaptation Syndrome?

Answer 11

Hormones released by the adrenal medulla.

Question 12

Fill in the blank: Stress can be _______ as it can help motivate us to do things.

Answer 12

positive

Question 13

True or False: Too much stress can affect our physical and mental health.

Answer 13

True

Question 14

What hormones are released during the alarm stage of stress?

Answer 14

Epinephrine and norepinephrine

The hypothalamus signals the pituitary gland to release ACTH, stimulating cortisol production.

Question 15

What does the alarm stage prepare the body for?

Answer 15

To meet the challenge posed by a stressor or emergency

This is commonly referred to as the ‘fight or flight’ response.

Question 16

What is the resistance stage in response to stress?

Answer 16

The body tries to adapt to ongoing demands of stress

This occurs around 48 hours after the onset of stress.

Question 17

What happens to hormone levels during the resistance stage?

Answer 17

Higher-than-normal levels of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol continue to circulate

This is an attempt to remain alert despite stress.

Question 18

What is apparent coping?

Answer 18

The individual may not show outward signs of stress but struggles to respond to new stressors

This occurs during the resistance stage.

Question 19

What illnesses may individuals become susceptible to during the resistance stage?

Answer 19

• Ulcers
• High blood pressure

These can result from prolonged stress.

Question 20

What occurs during the exhaustion stage of stress?

Answer 20

The body depletes resources needed for prolonged arousal

This results in a weakened immune system.

Question 21

What are the consequences of continued stress during the exhaustion stage?

Answer 21

Increased likelihood of illness and physiological damage

The body cannot maintain prolonged physical arousal indefinitely.

Question 22

What is the evolutionary purpose of the fight or flight response?

Answer 22

To protect from danger in the environment

Example: Avoiding a tiger outside a cave.

Question 23

What modern scenarios can trigger the fight or flight response?

Answer 23

• Upcoming exams
• Job loss
• Caring for a relative with a long-term health condition

These stressors may not be easily avoided or are long-term.

Question 24

What does GAS stand for?

Answer 24

General Adaptation Syndrome

GAS is a theory that explains the body’s response to stress.

Question 25

What is a strength of GAS in relation to chronic stress?

Answer 25

Helps understand the link between stress and physical illnesses ## Footnote It highlights how sustained cortisol levels from chronic stress can suppress the immune system.

Question 26

How does chronic stress affect the immune system according to GAS?

Answer 26

Causes suppression of the immune system ## Footnote Sustained cortisol levels due to chronic stress lead to this suppression.

Question 27

What is one potential benefit of understanding the links between stress and illness?

Answer 27

Identifying people under stress earlier ## Footnote This can help mitigate the harmful effects on health.

Question 28

What is a weakness of the GAS model regarding gender differences?

Answer 28

Fails to account for different stress responses in men and women ## Footnote Men typically exhibit 'fight or flight' while women often use 'tend and befriend.'

Question 29

What is the 'fight or flight' response?

Answer 29

A stress response more common in men ## Footnote It involves immediate reaction to stressors, often through aggression or avoidance.

Question 30

What does 'tend and befriend' mean?

Answer 30

A stress response more common in women ## Footnote It involves protecting children (tend) and seeking social support (befriend).

Question 31

What approach does Selye's theory of stress take?

Answer 31

Nomothetic approach ## Footnote It assumes uniformity in stress reactions among individuals.

Question 32

What is the idiographic approach in the context of stress?

Answer 32

Focuses on individual differences in stress reactions ## Footnote It suggests that people may view stress as a challenge rather than a threat.

Question 33

True or False: According to GAS, everyone reacts to stress in the same way.

Answer 33

True ## Footnote This is a limitation of the GAS model.

Question 34

What is a key conclusion about stress responses from research mentioned in the text?

Answer 34

Some people view stress as a challenge and experience fewer negative effects ## Footnote This indicates the need for a more personalized understanding of stress.