Measures of Stress

What is the primary function fMRI?

fMRI measures brain activity by tracking oxygenated blood flow.

Which brain areas are typically active during stress responses measured by fMRI?

The amygdala, hippocampus, and hypothalamus

What was the aim of the Wang et al (2005) study using fMRI?

To explore how cerebral blood flow changes under stress during analytical tasks

What is cortisol and how is it related to stress?

Cortisol is a stress hormone measured in saliva, indicating physiological stress

What did Evans and Wener (2007) found regarding proximal crowding and cortisol levels?

Proximal crowding leads to greater individual stress effects than overall density

What does the Demand-Control Model suggest about stress?

Tasks that require high mental arousal can increase stress, especially when the control over these demands is low

What is the significance of life events as defined in Holmes & Rahe (1967)?

Life events are significant occurrences that disrupt day-to-day activities, influencing stress levels

What does the SRRS stand for and what does it measure?

The Social Readjustment Rating Scale; it measures life change units correlated with stress-related illnesses

What was the key finding in the study by Friedman and Rosenman (1974) regarding Type A behavior?

70% of those developing coronary heart disease were classified as Type A, indicating a higher vulnerability to stress-related ailments

What is one strength of using fMRI to measure stress?

It provides real-time images of brain activity during stress-inducing tasks

What is a weakness of using fMRI for stress measurement?

It is expensive and requires specialized equipment

How does salivary cortisol measurement serve in a real-life context?

It provides a non-invasive method to measure stress hormone levels in settings like during commutes

What is a disadvantage of using self-report questionnaires as psychological measures of stress?

They heavily rely on subjective interpretations, which can vary between individuals

What is the score range of life change units (LCUs) and its correlation to health complications according to Holmes & Rahe?

Scores over 150 LCUs correlate to increasing chances of stress-related illnesses, with higher scores indicating higher probabilities

What is one limitation of the Friedman and Rosenman Personality Test?

Typing individuals as Type A or Type B may overlook the complexities of personality