Stress as a psychobiological process

Question 1

Autonomic Nervous System

Answer 1

A network of neurons that carry info between the CNS and organs & glands to ensure they are regulated without conscious awareness.

Question 2

Somatic Nervous System

Answer 2

A network of neurons responsible for initiating voluntary movements.

Question 3

Parasympathetic Nervous System

Answer 3

A branch of the autonomic nervous system that maintains homeostasis and calms the body down after vigorous activity.

Question 4

Sympathetic Nervous System

Answer 4

A branch of the autonomic nervous system that prepares the body for vigorous activity.

Question 5

Fight-Flight-Freeze

(Freeze is sympathetic and parasympathetic)

Answer 5

Initiated by the sympathetic nervous system and prepares the body to confront a stressful situation to optimize survival chances.

Question 6

Spinal Reflex

Answer 6

An automatic response that is initiated by neurons in the spinal cord, independent of the brain.

Question 7

Neurotransmission

Answer 7

Electrochemical communication between neurons

Question 8

Neurotransmitters

Answer 8

Fast acting, short lived, localized chemical substances released by terminal buttons: necessary for neural communication.

Question 9

Neuromodulators

Answer 9

Slow acting, long lasting chemical messengers that enhance neural communication. Act outside of synapse.

Question 10

Excitatory

Answer 10

Increases the likelihood that the neuron will fire an action potential

Question 11

Inhibitory

Answer 11

decreases the likelihood that the neuron will fire an action potential

Question 12

Glutamate

Answer 12

Excitatory neurotransmitter that is involved in learning and memory.

Question 13

GABA

Answer 13

Inhibitory neurotransmitter associated with calming feelings of stress, anxiety or fear.

Question 14

Dopamine

Answer 14

Neuromodulator primarily responsible for voluntary motor movement, the experience of pleasure and reward-based learning.

Question 15

Serotonin

Answer 15

A neuromodulator primarily responsible for the regulation of mood and sleep.

Question 16

sprouting

Answer 16

Formation of new neural connections to create new neural pathways.

Question 17

Rerouting

Answer 17

The establishment of alternate synaptic pathways to avoid damaged neurons.

Question 18

Pruning

Answer 18

Removing unnecessary synapses in order to create useful neural pathways more efficient.

Question 19

Similarities between LTP and LTD (list 3)

Answer 19

-Both are forms of long lasting neural plasticity
-Both occur at glutamate synapses
-Both are actively dependent
-Involve glutamate
-Involve changes in excitability
-long lasting effects

Question 20

Examples of Internal Stressors

Answer 20

-Hunger (bio)
-Illness (bio)
-Pessimistic attitudes (psych)
-Low self-esteem (psych)

Question 21

Examples of External Stressors

Answer 21

-Upcoming exam
-Financial difficulties
-Relationship conflicts
-Being overworked

Question 22

Physiological stress responses

Answer 22

-Headache
-Cold/flu symptoms
-Skin rashes
-Heart palpitations

Question 23

Psychological stress responses

Answer 23

-Changes to sleep and eating habits
-irritability and aggression
-decreased concentration
-impaired memory

Question 24

Cortisol

Answer 24

a hormone that
is released in times of
stress to aid the body in
initiating and maintaining
heightened arousal

Question 25

S.C.A.R.E

Answer 25

Shock Countershock Alarm reaction Resistance Exhaustion

Question 26

Countershock

Answer 26

F-F-F response activated. Cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline released into bloodstreamto help combat stress.

Question 27

Shock

Answer 27

When we first become aware of the stressor, our body enters a temporary state of shock where our ability to deal with a stressor falls below normal.

Question 28

Resistance

Answer 28

Physiological arousal is at a level above normal. All necessary physiological processes are shut down. Steroid hormones continue to be released. Cortisol suppresses immune system activity.Body's resistance to the particular stressor rises above normal.

Question 29

Con of cortisol

Answer 29

Prolonged presence can have detrimental effects as it suppresses autoimmune functions.

Question 30

Exhaustion

Answer 30

Body no longer possesses resources to cope with stressor, resulting in increased physical and mental disorders.

Question 31

Strengths of G.A.S

Answer 31

-Helps us better understand the links between stress and disease -Raised awareness on the effects stress had on physical health -identifies physiological aspects of stress

Question 32

Limitations of G.A.S

Answer 32

-Does not acknowledge how individual differences may affect physiological stress responses -Experiements only tested on rats -overemphasises physiological aspects of stress

Question 33

Lazarus and Folkman's Transactional Model of Stress and Coping

Answer 33

States that stress involves an interaction between an individual and their environment

Question 34

Primary appraisal

Answer 34

Evaluating the demands of a stressor. We can deem a stressor as irrelevant, benign-positive or stressful

Question 35

Secondary stage of primary appraisal

Answer 35

(Only if stressor is deemed stressful) Evaluated as a harm/loss, threat or challenge

Question 36

Secondary appraisal

Answer 36

Evaluate coping options and resources

Question 37

Strengths of L&F

Answer 37

-emphasizes psychological component of stress -experiments were conducted on humans so can be more generalised

Question 38

Limitations of L&F

Answer 38

-Appraisal is often unconscious and immediate: hard to isolate primary and secondary for experimental purposes -Appraisal is subjective

Question 39

LTP

Answer 39

Refers to the long lasting strengthening of synaptic connections, resulting in enhanced efficiency of neural transmission.

Question 40

LTD

Answer 40

Refers to the long lasting weakening of synaptic connections, which reduces efficiency of neural transmission.

Question 41

Gut-Brain axis

Answer 41

Bidirectional connection and communication pathway between the gut microbiome and brain.

Question 42

GBA and links to stress

Answer 42

Balance of helpful and unhelpful bacteria in the gut can influence levels of stress.

Question 43

Vagus nerve

Answer 43

links the CNS and enteric nervous systems.

Question 44

Coping flexibility

Answer 44

The ability to modify our coping strategies to adapt and meet the demands of different stressful situations.

Question 45

Context-specific effectiveness

Answer 45

A coping strategy is considered context specific when it matches or is appropriate to the stressful situations.

Question 46

Physiological changes during shock

Answer 46

-decreased body temp -temporary loss of muscle tone

Question 47

Physiological changes during countershock

Answer 47

-increased heart rate -increased energy supply

Question 48

Acute stress

Answer 48

Intense psychological and physiological symptoms that are brief in duration

Question 49

Chronic stress

Answer 49

Stress that endures for several months