psych 2012 ch. 11

corticosteroids

stress hormone released in response to feelings like depression & hopelessness

posttraumatic growth

perception of beneficial change and personal transformation. Often overestimated as a coping mechanism

primary appraisal

Determining if an event (a stressor) is threatening

secondary apprasial

Deciding how to deal with (stressor) event

problem-focused coping

Facing a problem head (happens after determining we can cope with a problem)

emotion-focused coping

Reframing event in a positive experience to reduce painful emotions (usually occurs after determining we cannot avoid/control a situation)

meaning-focused coping

Developing positive emotions by “justifying” adverse events and finding the positive event (silver lining) in an uncontrollable situation

Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS)

Based on 43 life events ranked by stressfulness. First attempt to measure life events systemically. Associated with effects physiologically, psychologically, and with suicide.

Doesn’t account for how people cope with stress, or not cope with stress in aftermath of life event

Hassles Scale

scale to measure stress of events from daily annoyances to major life events. Perceived severity of hassles are better predictors for depression, anxiety and physical health.

ecological momentary assessment

Study that asks people to record their thoughts and feelings at random times throughout the day. This is a more accurate data collection method. Connects stress and coping in real snapshots of life.

general adaptation syndrom (GAS)

Created by Hans Selye. Idea that in response to stressors, our body has a physiological system that heightens. Has 3 stages of adaptation.

Stages of GAS

1. alarm reaction: exciting the autonomic nervous system, discharge of adrenaline hormone, systems of anxiety

2. resistance reaction:

3. exhaustion

fight or flight response

physiological and psychological reactions that trigger decision to confront or leave a situation

Hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis

Mind-body link that induces the Fight or Flight response.

1. Hypothalamus signals fear

2. Adrenal gland: secretes stress hormone (adrenaline) and norepinephrine which readies fight or flight response

3. Pituitary gland + hypo. release stress hormone cortisol which fills body with energy

First stage: Alarm reaction

When the HPA axis complex is enacted and where the fight or flight response builds

Second stage: resistance

Period of adapting to a stressor.

Hippocampus detects danger —> opens communication to cerebral cortex. Basal ganglia —> logical thinking to understand situation

Third stage: exhaustion

When resistance breaks down due to long-term stress and poor coping mechanisms. Prolonged stress ex. PTSD

5 types of control (situations

1. behavioral control: do something to reduce stressful impact

2. cognitive control: think differently about negative emotions in response to stressful events'

3. decisional control: choose different courses of action

4. informational control/proactive coping: Preparing for stressful situations by gaining information

5. emotional control: regulating emotions based on the situation

acceptance-based coping

Accepting situations and viewing it in a positive way, which avoids a greater bounceback of negative emotions we avoid

ruminating

recycling negative events and feelings in the mind repeatedly

hardiness

set of qualities like sense of control over event, commitment to work and courage to confront stressful events that makes up a stress-resistant person

nocebo effect

Beliefs can create reality (skin reaction from a harmless plant)

immune system

body’s defense against invading bacteria, viruses, and other potentially illness-producing organisms and substances

3 white blood cells

1. phagocytes: show at scene of infection and engulf inavder

2. T cells: (pops cells) move through body and attach to proteins on the surface of cancer and bacteria cells ]

3. B cells: produce antibodies that stick to surface of invaders and slow progress

psychoneuroimmunology

study of the link between immune system and central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)

psychophysiological

psychological factors like emotions or stress can aggravate physical factors causing illness

biopsychosocial perspective

medical conditions are caused by a mix of biological, mental, and social factors

coronary heart disease (CHD)

the complete or partial blockage of the arteries that provide oxygen to the heart and is the number-one cause of death and disability in the United States.

Type A personality

driven, perfectionist, competitive, hostile, ambitious person

Type D (Distressed Personality

experience negative emotion, hostil tendencies, and inhibit emotions in social situations

Alternative medicine

healthcare practices and products used in place of conventional medicine

Complementary medicine or integrative health medicine (CAM)

products and practices that are used together with conventional medicine

natural commonplace

False belief that because something is natural it is safe and healthy

biofeedback

device provide an (almost) immediate output of a biological function

meditation

variety of practices that train attention and awareness and assist in the control of emotions

homeopathic medicine

Consume a diluted dose of a illness-producing substance to healthy person to alleviate illness. Never shown to be effective.