Chapter 14: Stress, Lifestyle, and Health

A comprehensive array of flashcards covering key concepts related to stress, health, and coping mechanisms from the lecture notes.

Stress

A term used to describe unpleasant feeling states in response to a trigger or threat in our environment.

Cognitive Appraisal

A process through which an individual considers and responds to potentially stressful events.

Primary Appraisal

Judgement about the degree of potential threat/challenge that a stressor might entail.

Threat

A stressor that could lead to harm, loss, or negative consequences.

Challenge

A stressor that carries the potential for gain or personal growth.

Secondary Appraisal

Judgment of the options to cope with a stressor and how effective they will be.

Eustress

Positive stress that motivates us to do our best.

Distress

Negative stress that can lead to burnout and performance decline.

Optimal Level of Stress

The level at which performance peaks before becoming distressing.

Physiological Effects of Stress

Stress can cause an accelerated heart rate, headaches, and GI problems.

Cognitive Effects of Stress

Stress can lead to trouble concentrating or making decisions.

Behavioral Effects of Stress

Stress can result in avoidance behaviors like drinking and smoking or proactive actions.

Health Psychology

A field that studies psychological influences on health, illness, and responses to illness.

Fight-or-Flight Response

Physiological reactions that occur when an individual encounters a threat or stressor.

Adrenal Glands

Glands that release hormones like epinephrine and norepinephrine in response to stress.

General Adaptation Syndrome

Selye's theory describing the body's three stages of response to stress: alarm, resistance, and exhaustion.

Cortisol

A stress hormone that prepares the body to react to stress.

Chronic Stressors

Events that persist over a long period, such as unemployment or living in an unsafe neighborhood.

Acute Stressors

Brief events that can cause immediate stress, like an accident or argument.

Traumatic Events

Situations involving exposure to actual or threatened death or serious injury.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A disorder occurring after exposure to traumatic events, characterized by intrusive memories and avoidance.

Daily Hassles

Minor irritations and annoyances that can accumulate and lead to stress.

Job Strain

Excessive demands and workload in a job that increases health risk.

Job Burnout

A sense of emotional exhaustion and cynicism often found in human service jobs.

Psychophysiological Disorders

Physical disorders whose symptoms are exacerbated by stress.

Immunosuppression

Decreased immune function associated with stress.

Psychoneuroimmunology

The study of how psychological factors influence immune function.

Hypertension

High blood pressure, often caused by stressors, which increases the risk of heart disease.

Type A Personality

A personality type characterized by competitiveness, impatience, and hostility.

Type B Personality

A personality type characterized by a relaxed and laid-back demeanor.

Relationship Between Depression and Heart Disease

Depression increases risk factors like obesity and inactivity that can lead to heart disease.

Asthma

A chronic disease where airways become inflamed, causing difficulty breathing.

Problem-Focused Coping

Proactive attempts to manage or change the problem causing stress.

Emotion-Focused Coping

Efforts to reduce negative emotions associated with stress.

Perceived Control

The level of control an individual feels over a stressor.

Learned Helplessness

The belief that one cannot change a situation, often learned from repeated exposure to uncontrollable events.

Social Support

The comforting impact of friends and family during stressful situations.

Stress Reduction Techniques

Strategies used to alleviate stress, including exercise, meditation, and biofeedback.

Happiness

An enduring state of well-being characterized by joy, contentment, and a sense of life meaning.

Positive Psychology

The study of positive human functioning and well-being.

Flow

An experience of complete immersion and engagement in an activity.

Surveys of Happiness

Research indicating that certain countries, like Denmark, report higher levels of happiness.

Factors Predicting Happiness

Age, relationships, income, and culture can influence happiness.

Life Satisfaction Over Time

Research shows that life satisfaction typically increases with age.

Happiness and Income

Happiness increases with income up to a certain point, after which it levels off.

Religion and Happiness

In challenging living conditions, religion is associated with greater well-being.

Culture and Happiness

Cultural values influence what characteristics contribute to happiness.

Adaptation to Life Events

People adapt to significant life events, and their long-term happiness is often less affected than expected.

Qualities Promoted by Positive Psychology

Qualities such as hope, optimism, altruism, and resilience that contribute to satisfaction in life.

Engagement in Flow Activities

Activities that bring joy and engross individuals deeply, often related to leisure.

Psychological Responses to Stress

Stress responses can vary based on individual perception and coping strategies.

Physical Health and Stress

Sustained stress has detrimental effects on physical health, leading to various disorders.

Mental Health and Stress

Research illuminates how stress can exacerbate mental health conditions.