Chapter 11: Stress, Health, and Flourishing

Vocabulary flashcards covering key definitions, theories, biological responses, coping mechanisms, and positive psychology concepts from Chapter 11 on stress, health, and flourishing.

Stress

The process by which we perceive and respond to certain events (stressors) that we appraise as threatening or challenging.

Stressors

Events or circumstances that might lead to stress, classified into three main categories: catastrophes, significant life changes, and daily hassles and social stressors (such as microaggressions and discrimination).

Fight-or-flight response

A stress response identified by Walter Cannon in which the sympathetic nervous system is activated, resulting in increased heart rate and breathing, diverted blood flow to muscles, and the release of sugar and fat for energy.

General adaptation syndrome (GAS)

Hans Selye's three-phase model describing how the body adapts to stress: Phase 1 (alarm reaction / mobilize resources), Phase 2 (resistance / cope with stressor), and Phase 3 (exhaustion / reserves depleted).

Tend-and-befriend reaction

A stress response often observed in women that involves nurturing and supporting others (tending) and creating or reaching out to social networks and support groups (befriending).

Oxytocin

A bonding hormone associated with the tend-and-befriend stress reaction.

Health psychology

A subfield of psychology linked to behavioral medicine that focuses on how psychological factors influence health and wellness.

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)

The study of how psychological, neurological, and endocrine systems interact and affect the immune system and overall health.

Lymphocytes

Disease-fighting immune cells whose numbers and functioning can be suppressed when prolonged stress diverts the body's energy toward a fight-or-flight reaction.

Coronary heart disease

A leading cause of death characterized by the clogging of vessels that nourish the heart muscle; associated with stress, depression, and hostility.

Type A personality

A behavior pattern characterized by high levels of hostility, which is strongly associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease.

Problem-focused coping

Attempting to alleviate stress directly by changing the stressor or how we interact with it (e.g., quitting a stressful job, getting treatment, or learning new skills).

Emotion-focused coping

Attempting to alleviate stress by avoiding or ignoring the stressor and attending to one's emotional needs instead (e.g., redefining the situation, seeking social support, denial, or avoidance).

Internal locus of control

The perception and generalized belief that you are in control of your own destiny.

External locus of control

The perception and generalized belief that chance or outside forces determine your fate.

Positive psychology

The scientific study of optimal human functioning that aims to discover and promote strengths and virtues that enable individuals and communities to flourish.

Three pillars of positive psychology

The core components of positive psychology: 1) Positive well-being, 2) Positive traits, and 3) Positive groups, communities, and cultures.

Adaptation-level phenomenon

The tendency to adapt to new situations or levels of wealth; once basic needs are met, increases in material wealth do not produce lasting increases in happiness.

Relative deprivation

The perception that one is worse off relative to the specific standard or peer group with whom one compares oneself.