AP Psych Unit 5

Health Psychology

A subfield of psychology that examines how biological, psychological, and social factors influence health, illness and recovery. It emphasizes prevention and understanding how behaviors like diet, exercise and coping strategies directly impact physical well-being.

Psychoneuroimmunology

The study of how psychological processes, the nervous system and the immune system interact.

Stress

A psychological and physiological response to perceived challenges or threats. It activates the body’s sympathetic nervous system and stress hormones. Stress can be helpful in short bursts but harmful when chronic.

Hypertension

Chronic high blood pressure, often linked to long-term stress, poor diet and lack of exercise. It increases the risk of heart disease and stroke, demonstrating how psychological stress can translate into physical illness.

Immune Suppression

A decreased ability of the immune system to fight off infections and diseases. Chronic stress releases hormones that weaken immune functioning, making people more prone to illness

Eustress

A positive, motivating form of stress that enhances performance and focus. It shows that not all stress is harmful—some can improve functioning

Distress

Negative stress that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope, leading to anxiety, decreased performance, and potential health problems. Chronic distress is especially harmful.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Traumatic or stressful events during childhood that can have long-term effects on mental and physical health. High ACE scores are linked to increased risk of depression, heart disease and substance abuse

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

Hans Selye model describing the body’s consistent physiological response to prolonged stress in three stages: alarm, resistance and exhaustion. It explains how stress can wear down the body over time.

Alarm Stage

The initial reaction to a stressor where the body activates the fight-or-flight response. Adrenaline increases heart rate, blood pressure and energy availability to prepare for immediate action

Resistance Stage

The body attempts to adapt to ongoing stress by maintaining heightened alertness. While functioning may appear normal, the body is using up resources, which can lead to fatigue over time.

Exhaustion Stage

Occurs when the body’s resources are depleted after prolonged stress. This can lead to burnout, illness, weakened immunity and increased vulnerability to disease.

Fight-Flight-Freeze Response

An automatic survival response triggered by the amygdala. The body prepares to confront, escape, or shut down when faced with a threat. This response is adaptive but can become problematic if triggered too often.

Coronary Heart Disease

A condition where plaque builds up in the arteries supplying the heart, often linked to chronic stress, unhealthy lifestyle and Type A behavior patterns. It illustrates the connection between psychological stress and cardiovascular health.

Tend-and-Befriend Theory

Shelley Taylor theory suggesting that, especially in females, stress responses often involve nurturing behaviors and seeking social support rather than just fight-or-flight. This highlights the importance of social bonds in coping.

Catharsis

The emotional release of pent-up feelings. While once believed to reduce aggression, research shows that expressing anger can sometimes increase it instead of relieving it.

Coping

Refers to the cognitive and behavioral strategies individuals use to manage stress and reduce to negative effects. Effective coping can prevent stress from becoming overwhelming and protect both mental and physical health. The type of coping used often determines whether a person adapts successfully or develops stress-related problems.

Problem-Focused Coping

A coping strategy that involves directly addressing or eliminating the source of stress. It is most effective when the individual has control over the situation and can take action to change the outcome

Emotion-Focused Coping

A strategy aimed at reducing the emotional impact of stress rather than changing the stressor itself. It is especially useful in situations that are uncontrollable, helping individuals maintain emotional stability.

Meditation

A mental practice that involves focused attention and awareness, often used to reduce stress, anxiety and negative thinking. Regular meditation can improve emotional regulation and even alter brain structures related to attention and stress response

Personal Control

The perception that one has ability to influence events and outcomes in their life. A strong sense of personal control is associated with better coping, lower stress levels, and improved overall health because individuals feel empowered rather than helpless

Learned Helplessness

Martin Seligman a condition in which individuals come to believe they have no control over outcomes after repeated exposure to uncontrollable events. This can lead to passive behavior, decreased motivation and is strongly linked to depression

External Locus of Control

A belief system in which individuals attribute outcomes to external forced such as luck, fate or other people. This perspective can reduce motivation to take action and increase feelings of helplessness in stressful situations.

Internal Locus of Control

A belief that one’s own actions and decisions determine outcomes. Individuals with an internal locus tend to be more proactive, resilient and effective at coping with stress because they feel responsible for change.

Self-Control

The ability to regulate impulses, delay immediate gratification and persist toward long-term goals. High self-control is linked to better academic success, healthier behaviors and improved emotional regulation

Positive Psychology

Martin Seligman a field of psychology that studies human strengths, happiness and factors that allow individuals and communities to thrive. It shifts focus from treating illness o promoting well-being and fulfillment

Well-Being

A state of overall life satisfaction that includes emotional health, a sense of purpose and positive functioning. It goes beyond momentary happiness and reflects a deeper sense of fulfillment

Resilience

The ability to adapt to and recover from adversity, stress or trauma

Subjective Well-Being

An individual’s personal evaluation of their happiness and life satisfaction

Feel-Good, Do-Good Phenomenon

The tendency for people who are in a positive mood to be more likely to help others

Adaptation-Level Phenomenon

The tendency for individuals to return to a relatively stable level of happiness despite major positive or negative life changes.

Relative Deprivation

The perception that one is worse off compared to others, regardless of actual circumstances

Gratitude

A positive emotional state involving appreciation for what one has

Signature Strengths

Core personal strengths that define an individual’s identity and contribute to a sense of purpose

Virtues

Broad, universal moral qualities valued across cultures. They represent the foundation of ethical behavior and human excellence

Character Strengths

Specific positive traits that support virtues and contribute to well-being

Wisdom

The ability to use knowledge and experience to make sound judgements and decisions

Courage

The capacity to face fear, uncertainty or adversity despite risk

Humanity

The ability to form close relationships and show empathy, love and compassion toward others

Justice

A commitment to fairness, equality and social responsibility

Temperance

A virtue involving self-control, moderation and the ability to resist excess

Transcendence

A virtue that involves connecting to something greater than oneself

Broaden-and-Build Theory

Barbara Fredrickson theory stating that positive emotions broaden an individual’s thinking and attention, allowing them to build lasting psychological, social and physical resources over time

Aerobic Exercise

Sustained physical activity that improves cardiovascular health and reduces stress

Mindfulness Meditation

A form of meditation focused on present-moment awareness without judgement

Psychological Disorder

A pattern of thoughts, feelings or behaviors that is deviant, distressful and dysfunctional

Dysfunction

Impairment in daily functioning

Distress (Disorders)

Emotional suffering experienced by an individual

Stigma

Negative beliefs and attitudes toward individuals with psychological disorders

American Psychiatric Association (APA)

Organization responsible for publishing the DSM, which standardizes diagnosis in the US

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)

A classification system used by clinicians to diagnose psychological disorders

World Health Organization (WHO)

Global organization that promotes health and publishes the ICD

International Classification of Diseases (ICD)

A global diagnostic system that includes both physical and mental disorders, allowing for international consistency in diagnosis