Untitled Flashcards Set

Health Psychology

A subfield of psychology that uses psychological and behavioral principles to study health, illness, and health care.

Stress

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

Distress

Stress interpreted as detrimental.

Eustress

Stress interpreted as beneficial or motivating.

General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)

Selye proposed this concept as the body's adaptive response to stress, which has three phases: Alarm, Resistance, and Exhaustion.

Phase 1: Alarm Reaction

The body detects stress and initiates the fight or flight response.

Phase 2: Resistance

Physiological indicators remain high as the person tries to cope with stressors.

Phase 3: Exhaustion

With no relief from the stressor, the body’s resources are depleted, leading to burnout.

Physiological Effects of Stress

High blood pressure, tension headaches, and weakened immune system are examples of stress's negative impacts.

Traumatic Stressors

These tend to have more severe negative effects compared to other styles of stressors.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

A category of traumatic stressors that can significantly impact a child's development.

Tend-and-Befriend Theory

The idea that people, especially women, respond to stress by seeking social connections and nurturing behavior.

Coping Strategies

Techniques used to manage or alleviate stress.

Positive Psychology

The study that seeks to identify and promote factors that lead to human flourishing.

Subjective Well-Being (SWB)

A self-assessment of one’s happiness and life satisfaction.

Resilience

The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; emotional strength.

Posttraumatic Growth

The positive change that occurs as a result of the struggle with a major life crisis or a traumatic event.

Character Strengths

The personal attributes that contribute to well-being and positive functioning.

Maladaptive behaviors

Behaviors that are counterproductive and ineffective in managing stress.

Biopsychosocial Model

An approach that integrates biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors in understanding psychological disorders.

Diathesis-Stress Model

A framework for understanding how genetic predispositions and stressors interact to produce psychological disorders.

Person-First Language

A preferred way of discussing psychological disorders that emphasizes the person rather than the disorder.

Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Conditions associated with central nervous system functioning that begin during the developmental period.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Characterized by difficulties in social communication and the presence of repetitive behaviors.

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

A disorder marked by ongoing problems with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.

Anxiety Disorders

Characterized by excessive fear and anxiety that disrupts daily life.

Panic Disorder

Marked by recurrent panic attacks that occur unexpectedly.

Social Anxiety Disorder

Intense fear of social situations where the individual is exposed to possible scrutiny.

Specific Phobia Disorder

An overwhelming, persistent fear of a specific object or situation that leads to avoidance.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Characterized by excessive worry that spans over months and negatively affects daily functioning.