Studied by 4 people
What is Stress?
Tension, discomfort and produce physical symptoms.
What is a Stressor?
Threatening or demanding situations that cause tension and discomfort.
What are Catastrophes?
Very-large-scale disasters or horrible events; impact an entire community
Despite the stress, catastrophes increase social awareness and cement people’s interpersonal bonds
What are the Approaches to Stress?
Stressors as Stimuli
Stress as a Transaction
Stress as a Response
Stressors as Stimuli.
Focuses on identifying types of stressful events, situations that cause more stress, and people who are more vulnerable to stress
Catastrophes
Stress as a Transaction.
How people cope with stressors
Cognitive Appraisal Theory
Primary and Secondary Appraisals
What is the Cognitive Appraisal Theory?
Looks at the critical factor for determining why we react to stressful events.
What is a Primary Appraisal?
If the stressor can be handled, then a person will not be stressed.
What is a Secondary Appraisal?
If the stressor is a threat, then the person will be stressed
If the stressor is a challenge, then the person will not be stressed
Stress as a Response.
Psychological and physiological reactions to stress
Physiological Measures and Psychological assessments which is how we react and cope with stress
Lab-Included or Real-World stressors
How is Stress Measured?
Significant Life Events (SRRS)
Daily Hassles (Hassles Scale)
What is the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS)?
A list of 43 events ranked to “life-changing units (LCU)”; things that readjust the lives of people
The lower the number on the list, the less stressful; the higher the number, the more readjustment was needed for an event
What does the scoring on the SRRS state?
<149 is low
150-199 is mild
200-299 is moderate
300 is major
What is the Hassles Scale?
Minor annoyances or nuisances that strain our ability to cope
The scale is the cumulative load of hassles may be more responsible for stress than major events; the number and severity is significant
People who face more hassles, face lots more major life events
Living in Big Cities (personal space)
What does Living in Big Cities contribute to stress?
Exposure to potential stressors
Overcrowding VS Personal Space
Invades personal space, and causes stress and discomfort; anxiety
Tension state that affects mental health; a sense of insecurity
How do we Adapt to Stress?
General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)
Three stages of psychological reactions to stress
What is General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)?
The reactions are general (all humans respond in a similar pattern) and nonspecific (we all react specifically, even animals)
Three stages: 1. Alarm, 2. Resistance, and 3. Exhaustion
What happens in the Alarm Stage?
Stress hormones are released; physical symptoms of anxiety; “fight or flight” response
State of Shock
Loss in muscle control and blood pressure and body temperature drops; lasts a short period of time and then Counter Shock hits which will bring you back to Normal resistance state
What happens in the Resistance Stage?
Adapt and find ways to cope with the stressor; resources are limited
Constantly high
What happens in the Exhaustion Stage?
If the threat persists, eventually the body will give out.
How can we Cope with Stress?
Relaxation
Reappraisal
Social Support
What does Relaxation have to do with Coping?
Involves low arousal
Incompatible with stress
Biofeedback
What is Biofeedback?
When people are given feedback on their body’s state through a machine
May result in Perceived Control and may reduce stress-related tension and pain
What does Social Support have to do with Coping?
Support from others, often in the form of comfort, caring, or help can lead to a healthy immune system and less stress
Beneficial in reducing stress since more social support is associated with lower mortality rates
Pet support can lead to less doctor trips and lower heart attack deaths
What does Reappraisal have to do with Coping?
Cognitive Appraisal
A large part of the stress reaction is psychological
Using therapy and take a positive outlook on situations
What are Individual Differences to do with Stress?
Perceived Control
Personality Differences
What is Perceived Control?
How much control one can see/believe they have over situations
Having high perceived control reduces stress and has health benefits
What are Personality Differences?
Optimism and Pessimism
Optimism is associated with faster recovery after surgery, better immune system functioning, and a lower mortality rate
What are some Physical Consequences of Stress?
Stress may weaken the immune system
“fight or flight“ → increased blood pressure
Stress is linked to higher blood cholesterol
Personality Types play a role in the consequences
What role do Personality Types play in the Physical Consequences of Stress?
Type A: Impatient, Ambitious, Easily Annoyed; Low on “Agreeableness“
A person can easily get angry, and when stressed they may show it; this component is linked with a high risk of cardiovascular diseases
Type B: Patient, Laid Back, Flexible, Clam, Easy Going
What are some Psychological Consequences of Stress?
If stress is intense enough, or lasts long enough, psychological problems can result. These include Depression, Anxiety, or PTSD.
What is Problem Drinking and how does it affect Health?
Binge drinking
There are Physical effects (increases in cancer, liver problems, pregnancy complications, brain shrinkage)
There are Cognitive effects (is a depressant, but inhibits or reduces anxiety; Alcohol Myopia)
What is Alcohol Myopia?
The idea that intoxication may cause narrowed perceptual and cognitive functioning that can lead to aggressive behaviour; this increases with dosage
(Narrowed Attention) They may ignore information that is significant or substantial
(Narrowed Cognitive) May act against social norms without thinking; influenced by immediate cues without considering the long term consequences
What are some behaviours that Promote Good Health?
Aerobic Exercise (improves cardiovascular fitness, releases mood-altering neurotransmitters, and may increase perceived control)
Thinking about Stress Positively
What does it mean to “Make Stress your Friend?“
High-stress levels are linked with an increased risk of dying, but only for people who think of stress in a negative way
Oxytocin makes you “tend and befriend”
Makes us seek support from other individuals
Social connections are key to health benefits
