Stress Flashcards
(111 cards)
Define stress
A mismatch between the demands of a situation and your ability to deal with it
Define ‘a stressor’
A stimulus from the environment which will trigger stress
What are 4 symptoms of stress
Sweating
Increased heart rate
Aggression
Dialated pupils
What part of the body triggers the fight or flight response
Hypothalamus
What are the two physiological stress responses
Pituatry adrenal system
Sympathomedullary pathway
Explain the pituitary adrenal system (HPA)
Hypothalamus releases CRH into blood stream
CRH causes pituitary gland to release ACTH
ACTH stimulates adrenal cortex
Stress hormones such as cortisol stress released
Explain the sympathomedullary pathway
Hypothalamus triggers sympathetic branch of autonomic nervous system
This causes adrenal medulla to release adrenaline and noradrenaline into blood stream
Where is the adrenal medulla located
Above the kidneys
What changes to the body does the sympathomedullary pathway cause to the body.
Increase of energy
Increase of blood flow
Reduces digestion
Dilates pupils
What changes does the Hypo pituitary adrenal system cause to the body
Suppressed immune system
Maintains glucose supply
Reduces pain sensitivity
Why does Taylor et al criticise the physiological response to stress?
It’s gender bias as women are more likely to tend and befriend a threat as they have higher levels of oxytocin which brings about bonding and caring behaviour, it also lowers cortisol
Why did Lazarus 1999 criticise the physiological stress response
Lazarus claimed the body’s response is influenced by the way an individual perceives a stressor
What is the body’s long term stress response
Hypo-pituitary adrenal system
Hypothalamus secretes CRH to pituitary gland which releases ACTH which triggers adrenal cortex to release cortisol which suppresses the immune system
What is the body’s short term stress response
Sympothamedullary pathway
Hypothalamus triggers sympathetic branch of autonomic nervous system which triggers adrenal medulla to release adrenaline and noradrenaline to increase heart rate, breathing rate, inhibit digestion.
Once threat passes parasympathetic branch of autonomic nervous system returns body to resting state
Who created GAS
Selye
What is GAS
When animals exposed to unpleasant stimulus they respond with a universal response
What are the three stages of GAS
Alarm
Resistance
Exhaustion
Explain the alarm stage of GAS
Threat is detected and body responds
Hypothalamus triggers SAM and HPA pathway
Explain the resistance stage of GAS
If stressor persists body enters second stage.
Attempts to cope with demands of persistent threat.
Activity in adrenal medulla reduced and adrenal cortex activated - immune system less effective
Explain the exhaustion stage of GAS
If stressor still present body can no longer cope.
Organisms defence system becomes exhausted.
Some initial symptoms of SAM re-appear such as increased heart rate. Adrenal glands may be damaged from over activity - individual now likely to suffer diseases
Evaluate general adaption syndrome
Supportive evidence - Selye exposed rats to harmful stimuli including extreme cold, surgical injury, excessive exercise. They all showed similar response no matter what the stressor was. Found similar results in human study
Weakness - doesn’t consider individual differences. Some may have cognitive coping strategies which enable effectively deal with stress without becoming ill
Weakness - illness that occurs in exhaustion may not be due to depletion of recourses. Research shows recourses do not become depleted after extreme stress. It is now believed the increased production of stress hormones such as cortisol lead to stress related illness
Practical applications - seyle first identified a link between stress and illness. Strength as could lead to development of stress reduction programmes designed to improve health of people who report to be stressed - benefit economy
What are two stress related illnesses
Cardiovascular disorders
Immunosuppression
What are cardiovascular disorders
Any disorder of the heart and circulatory system
Examples of cardiovascular disorders
Coronary heart disease
High blood pressure
Strokes