U3 AOS1 K6-9

Question 1

Acculturative Stress

Answer 1

Arises due to changes in the cultural environment. Occurs often when moving to another country when it is necessary to adapt to new norms, values and traditions.

Question 2

Alarm Reaction Stage

Answer 2

Alarm is the first stage of GAS when a person/organism first realises that there is a threat or stressor. It has two sub-stages called shock and countershock

Question 3

Approach Coping

Answer 3

Approach strategies involve confronting the stressor and is often problem focused

Question 4

Avoidant Coping

Answer 4

Avoidance strategies involve evading the stressor and are often emotion focused

Question 5

Catastrophe

Answer 5

A catastrophe is an unpredictable event that causes widespread damage or suffering

Question 6

Context-specific Effectiveness

Answer 6

Coping strategies depend on past experience and the strategies used need to be a ‘good fit’ with the stressful situation.

Question 7

Coping

Answer 7

Coping is the process of constantly changing cognitive and behavioural efforts to manage specific internal and/or external stressors appraised as exceeding the resources of the person

Question 8

Coping Flexibility

Answer 8

The ability to adapt to a range of stressful situations and vary coping strategies (eg combining problem and emotion) to suit the stressful situation

Question 9

Cortisol

Answer 9

A hormone released by the adrenal glands

Question 10

Distress

Answer 10

Refers to a negative psychological response to a perceived stressor

Question 11

Eustress

Answer 11

Refers to a positive psychological response to a perceived stressor

Question 12

Exhaustion Stage

Answer 12

The third stage of GAS (fight-flight-freeze response) where the body cannot continue to cope with the stressor and its resistance begins to drop; the body’s resources are depleted and very tired which can lead to life-threatening illness and death if the stress continues

Question 13

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

Answer 13

A model developed by Selye to explain the biological processes involved in chronic stress; he suggested there were three stages; alarm, resistance and exhaustion. GAS is the body’s way of adapting and dealing with perceived stressor or stressors

Question 14

Coping Strategy

Answer 14

Can be avoidant or approach strategies. Approach strategies being more problem focused and avoidant more emotionally focused

Question 15

Freeze Reaction

Answer 15

This is when you will keep absolutely still and silent, avoiding detection. It is activated by the parasympathetic nervous system

Question 16

Major Stressor

Answer 16

A major stressor is an event that is extraordinarily stressful or disturbing for almost everyone who experiences it

Question 17

Primary Appraisal

Answer 17

The initial evaluation process where the person determines whether the event is a threat or a challenge

Question 18

Resistance Stage

Answer 18

The second stage of Seyle’s General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS); it is considered the adaptive stage because even though heart and respiration rate return to almost normal, blood glucose levels and stress related hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol continue to circulate through the body keeping it ready for action

Question 19

Secondary Appraisal

Answer 19

The second stage where the person considers what options are available to them and how they will respond to the event this appraisal is made at a more conscious level

Question 20

Stress

Answer 20

A psychological and physical response to internal and external sources of tension that challenge a person’s ability to cope; these can be real or perceived

Question 21

Stressor

Answer 21

A source of tension that challenges a person’s ability to cope

Question 22

Transactional Model Of Stress and Coping

Answer 22

Stress involves a transaction between and individual and their external environment, and that a stress response depends on the individual’s appraisal of the stressor and their ability to cope with it