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What are the two key elements Hans Selye emphasised in the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)?
It is non-specific, meaning the response is the same regardless of the stressor.
It is identical within all members of a species (studied in rats).
What is the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)?
A biological process involved in the stress response, potentially leading to illness and death.
What are the three stages of the GAS?
Alarm reaction (shock and countershock)
Resistance
Exhaustion
Do all individuals go through all three stages of GAS?
No, the exhaustion stage is only reached if exposure to the stressor is prolonged and persistent.
What happens in Stage 1: Alarm Reaction?
The stressor is first noticed, and the fight-flight-freeze (FFF) response is activated via the HPA axis.
Shock phase - The body acts as if it is injured (↓ blood pressure, ↓ body temperature).
Countershock phase - The body releases stress hormones (adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol) to prepare for a response.
What biological changes occur in the shock phase of alarm reaction?
The body acts as though it is injured, causing:
↓ Blood pressure
↓ Body temperature
What biological changes occur in the countershock phase of alarm reaction?
The HPA axis releases adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol, leading to:
↑ Heart rate & respiration
What happens in Stage 2: Resistance?
The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) reduces heart and respiration rates while stress hormones remain elevated to maintain arousal.
What occurs if the stressor continues in the resistance stage?
The person remains in an elevated arousal state.
Cortisol and ACTH suppress the immune system and digestive system, increasing illness risk.
Social withdrawal, memory loss, and focus decline
What are the biological symptoms of the resistance stage?
High cortisol levels
Increased energy
Physical wear and tear begins
What happens in Stage 3: Exhaustion?
Biological resources are severely depleted.
The body can no longer sustain the stress response.
Increased vulnerability to illness and life-threatening conditions.
What are the biological symptoms of the exhaustion stage?
Depleted energy stores
Increased susceptibility to illness and physical conditions
What are the strengths of the GAS model?
✔ Empirical evidence of physiological stress responses
.✔ Identified the link between stress intensity and physiological response.
What are the limitations of the GAS model?
✘ Over-emphasised biological processes, ignoring psychological factors.
✘ Based on rats, making human generalisation uncertain.
✘ Did not account for emotional and cognitive responses to stress.
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