ch. 11 health and well-being

define health psychology

application of psychological principles in promoting health and well-being

define well-being

a positive state that includes striving for optimal health and life satisfaction

define the biopsychosocial model

a model of health that integrates the effects of biological, behavioral, and social factors on health and illness

what are the biopsychosocial factors

1. biological: genetic predispositions, exposure to germs

2. psychological: thoughts, actions, lifestyles, stress, health beliefs

3. social: environments, cultural influences, family relationships, social support

define body mass index (BMI)

numerical value based on height and weight that can help determine if someone is underweight, healthy weight, overweight, or obese

how are overeating, social, and genetic factors involved in obesity?

1. overeating: expensive nutritious foods, high-calorie foods, availability of different types of food, larger portions, how our brain responds to food cues

2. social factors: the unstated agreement on acceptable body weight (you have friends with similar body weight)

3. genetic factors: obesity runs in families, similar body weights in twins, genes predispose some people to obesity in environments that promote overfeeding

define anorexia nervosa

pursuit of thinness that leads to self-starvation

define bulimia nervosa

cycle of bingeing followed by extreme behaviors to prevent weight gain, such as purging

define binge-eating disorder

regular bingeing, but do not engage in purging behaviors

define stress

the set of behavioral, mental, and physical processes that occur as an organism attempts to deal with an environmental event or stimulus that it perceives as threatening

define stressor

the event perceived as threatening

define stress responses

behavioral, mental, and/or physical responses to stressors

what are the three stages of the general adaptation syndrome (GAS)?

1. alarm stage: an emergency reaction that prepares your body to respond physically (ex. heart beats faster) and other bodily processes are slowed down

2. resistance stage: body physically prepares for a longer attack against a stressor

3. exhaustion stage: the body’s ability to respond to stress begins to decline — immune system begin to fail — can lead to illness or depression

define tend-and-befriend response

females’ tendency to respond to stressors by protecting and caring for their offspring and forming social alliances

define type A behavior pattern and how it relates to stress

people who are competitive, aggressive, hostile, restless, workaholic, perfectionist

• tend to respond more to stressors and are more likely to develop heart disease

define type B behavior and how it relates to stress

people who are noncompetitive, easygoing, and relaxed

• less adversely affected by stressors and are less likely to develop heart disease

define primary appraisals and secondary appraisals

primary appraisals: judge if stimuli is a potential threat

secondary appraisals: if stimuli is identified as stressor, you consider how to cope and respond

define emotion-focused coping

you try to prevent an emotional response to a stressor — you adopt strategies to numb the pain (ex. avoidance, minimizing the issue, engaging in maladaptive behaviors)

define problem-focused coping

taking direct steps to confront and solve the problem (ex. alternative solutions, weighing costs and benefits)

• downward comparisons: looking at the bright side of things

• give positive meaning to little, ordinary events

define positive psychology

the study of strength and virtues that allow people and communities to thrive

• emphasizes well-being

5 ways you can stay healthy

1. be mindful

2. live a purposeful and meaningful life

3. have a positive attitude

4. exercise

5. laugh