Stress

Question 1

What is stress?

Answer 1

A state of physiological and psychological arousal produced by stressors perceived as exceeding an individual’s ability to cope.

Stress is a subjective experience that depends on personal interpretation of situations.

Question 2

What is a stressor?

Answer 2

Stimuli that demand attention and efforts to cope.

Stressors can be internal or external.

Question 3

Define internal stressor.

Answer 3

Originates from within an individual, such as personal problems or concerns about health.

Example: Concern about physical pain signaling an illness.

Question 4

Define external stressor.

Answer 4

Originates from outside the individual, such as environmental situations and events.

Example: Having too much homework or being bullied.

Question 5

True or False: A stress response involves physiological and psychological changes when faced with a stressor.

Answer 5

True

Question 6

What are the types of stress?

Answer 6

Mild, Acute, Chronic

Each type varies in arousal levels and duration.

Question 7

What is mild stress?

Answer 7

Stimulating, exhilarating, and motivating with slightly elevated arousal levels enhancing performance.

Question 8

What is acute stress?

Answer 8

Sudden high arousal level due to immediate stressors.

Question 9

What is chronic stress?

Answer 9

High arousal level sustained over a long period of time.

Question 10

List physiological and psychological responses to stress.

Answer 10

• Sleeplessness
• Depression
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Forgetfulness

Question 11

What is the ‘Fight-Flight-Freeze’ response?

Answer 11

A term describing autonomic arousal in response to acute stress.

It involves the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline.

Question 12

What does the sympathetic nervous system do?

Answer 12

Controls arousal and the fight-or-flight response.

It increases heart rate, breathing, and alertness.

Question 13

What does the parasympathetic nervous system do?

Answer 13

Calms the body down and maintains homeostasis.

Responsible for functions such as digestion and resting.

Question 14

What happens during the freeze response?

Answer 14

Body movements stop, heart rate slows, and muscles become tense and still.

Question 15

What is cortisol?

Answer 15

A stress hormone released from the adrenal cortex during chronic stress.

Question 16

What are the functions of cortisol?

Answer 16

• Moderates glucose levels
• Regulates metabolism
• Acts as an anti-inflammatory agent
• Influences blood pressure
• Helps respond to stress

Question 17

What are the negative effects of prolonged high cortisol levels?

Answer 17

• Suppressed immune system
• Increased risk of cancer and autoimmune diseases
• Psychiatric conditions like anxiety and depression
• Physical health problems like hypertension and cardiovascular disease

Question 18

What is the gut-brain axis (GBA)?

Answer 18

The bidirectional connection between the central nervous system and the enteric nervous system via the vagus nerve.

Question 19

What is the role of the vagus nerve?

Answer 19

Carries messages between the gut and brain, influencing mood, immune response, digestion, and heart rate.

Question 20

What is the enteric nervous system (ENS)?

Answer 20

Controls the digestive system and is similar in structure and function to the brain.

Question 21

Fill in the blank: The gut microbiota consists of more than _____ microbe species.

Answer 21

1000

Question 22

How do gut microbiota affect neurotransmitter production?

Answer 22

They regulate the production, storage, and release of neurotransmitters by neurons in the ENS.

Question 23

What is the gut-brain axis (GBA)?

Answer 23

The communication pathway between the gut microbiota and the brain.

Question 24

What role do gut microbiota play in our nutrition?

Answer 24

They digest food components to provide their own nutrition and supply us with energy and nutrients.

Question 25

How do gut microbiota influence neurotransmitter production?

Answer 25

Certain microbiota regulate the production, storage, and release of neurotransmitters by neurons in the ENS.

Question 26

What neurotransmitter is mentioned in connection with gut microbiota and mental health?

Answer 26

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

Question 27

Which bacterium was found to produce GABA in the gut?

Answer 27

Bacteroides.

Question 28

What was observed in individuals with fewer Bacteroides in their gut?

Answer 28

Stronger patterns of hyperactivity in the cerebral cortex associated with severe depression.

Question 29

What effect does increased GABA from gut microbiota have on rats?

Answer 29

It reduces learned helplessness and increases pain tolerance.

Question 30

How does chronic stress affect gut microbiota?

Answer 30

It can lead to reduced diversity in gut microbiota.

Question 31

What are the implications of reduced gut microbiota diversity due to stress?

Answer 31

It has been linked to anxiety and depression.

Question 32

How can a healthy diet affect gut microbiota diversity?

Answer 32

It can increase the diversity of gut microbiota.

Question 33

What physiological changes were observed in Atlantic salmon under stress?

Answer 33

Increased cortisol levels and significant changes to their microbiome.

Question 34

What was discovered about germ-free mice in relation to stress?

Answer 34

They showed an exaggerated response to stress compared to normal mice.

Question 35

What can reverse the exaggerated stress response in germ-free mice?

Answer 35

Colonizing their gut with specific bacteria.

Question 36

What is the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)?

Answer 36

A three-phased physiological stress response that occurs regardless of the stressor.

Question 37

What are the three stages of the General Adaptation Syndrome?

Answer 37

* Alarm Reaction * Resistance * Exhaustion

Question 38

What occurs during the Alarm Reaction stage of GAS?

Answer 38

Initial response to stress where resistance decreases.

Question 39

What happens in the Counter-Shock phase of the Alarm Reaction?

Answer 39

The body mobilizes resources and resistance to the stressor increases.

Question 40

What characterizes the Resistance stage of GAS?

Answer 40

Heightened arousal remains above normal to deal with the stressor.

Question 41

What are potential negative effects experienced during the Resistance stage?

Answer 41

Fatigue, headaches, and increased susceptibility to illness.

Question 42

What happens during the Exhaustion stage of GAS?

Answer 42

Resistance drops below normal, leading to increased vulnerability to disease.

Question 43

What long-term effects can sustained high levels of cortisol have?

Answer 43

Suppression of the immune system and increased susceptibility to serious illness.

Question 44

True or False: The GAS model applies equally to both animal and human stress responses.

Answer 44

False.

Question 45

Fill in the blank: The alarm reaction consists of two phases: __________ and __________.

Answer 45

Shock, countershock.

Question 46

What psychological issues might arise during the Exhaustion stage of GAS?

Answer 46

* Anxiety * Depression * Moodiness * Hopelessness

Question 47

What stage of the GAS model is Pradeep in?

Answer 47

Exhaustion ## Footnote Pradeep is in the exhaustion stage due to prolonged stress from his partner's breakup.

Question 48

What are two reasons for Pradeep's exhaustion stage in the GAS model?

Answer 48

* He has withdrawn from friends and family * He is behind with his studies and lacks motivation

Question 49

What are the three categories of psychological responses to stress?

Answer 49

* Behavioral changes * Emotional (affective) changes * Cognitive changes

Question 50

What does primary appraisal involve in Lazarus and Folkman’s model?

Answer 50

The recognition of a potentially stressful situation and evaluating its significance ## Footnote It assesses whether the situation is irrelevant, benign-positive, or stressful.

Question 51

What are the two stages in primary appraisal?

Answer 51

* Assessing significance (irrelevant, benign-positive, stressful) * Additional appraisals if assessed as stressful (harm/loss, threat, challenge)

Question 52

What does secondary appraisal involve?

Answer 52

Considering resources to cope and how best to respond to the situation

Question 53

True or False: The Transactional Model of Stress and Coping emphasizes the interaction between the individual and their environment.

Answer 53

True

Question 54

What is the main difference between avoidance and approach coping strategies?

Answer 54

* Avoidance coping strategies evade the stressor * Approach coping strategies confront the stressor directly

Question 55

What is context-specific effectiveness?

Answer 55

When there is a good fit between the coping strategy used and the stressful situation

Question 56

Fill in the blank: Coping flexibility refers to the individual's ability to _______ one's coping strategies effectively.

Answer 56

[adapt/adjust]

Question 57

What factors can influence the effectiveness of coping strategies?

Answer 57

* Past experience * Appropriateness of previously used strategies * Individual's knowledge/skills * Access to social support

Question 58

What is the outcome when context-specific effectiveness and coping flexibility are combined?

Answer 58

Increased ability to cope

Question 59

What is a potential benefit of avoidance coping strategies?

Answer 59

They can be effective in coping with stress in the short term ## Footnote For example, selectively avoiding unchangeable aspects of a stressor may provide temporary relief.

Question 60

What is an example of a coping strategy that lacks context-specific effectiveness?

Answer 60

Exercising every night when preparing for a SAC in a difficult subject

Question 61

How does the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping provide a positive view of stress?

Answer 61

It suggests that individuals can control and manage stress on their own terms

Question 62

What is a limitation of the Transactional Model regarding stress experiments?

Answer 62

It can make it difficult to design experiments or interventions that apply to larger groups due to individual perceptions of stress

Question 63

True or False: The Transactional Model accounts for external factors influencing stress responses.

Answer 63

False

Question 64

Name the type of relationship between a stressor and stress.

Answer 64

Cause and effect