Stress (Unit 5 part 1)

Stress

the process by which we perceive and respond to certain events, called stressors, that we appraise as threatening or challenging.

what are the 3 types of stressors

1. catastrophes

2. significant life changes

3. daily hassles

how does prolonged stress affect us

it can weaken our immune system making us more vulnerable to illnesses and heart problems.

general adaption syndrome (GAS)

Selye’s comcept of the bodys adaptive response to stress in 3 phases.

what are the 3 phases of GAS

Alarm, resistence, and exhaustion

Alarm reaction

Sympathetic nervous system activates

Resistance

Body attempts to cope with ongoing stress while remaining physiologically aroused

Exhaustion

Body’s resources are depleted increasing vulnerability to illness

Relative deprivation

The perception that one is worse off compared to others

tend and befriend response

under stress people often provide support to others and bond w/ and seek support from others.

psychoneuroimmunology

how psychological, neural, and endocrine procceses together affect the immune system and resulting health

how does stress related to coronary heart disease

stress can generate inflammation and make you more at risk for heart problems.u.s leading cause of death,

type A vs type B person

type A- competitive, impatient, anger prone.

type B- easy going, relaxed people

catharsis

the idea that releasing aggressive energy relieves aggressive urges.

problem focused coping

attempting to alleviate stress directly by changing the stressor or the way we interact with that stressor.

emotion focused coping

attempting to alleviate stress by avoding or ignoring the stressor and attending to emotional needs related to our stress reaction.

personal control

our sense of controlling our environment rather than feeling helpless.

learned helplessness

the hopelessness and passive resignation an animal (dog studies) or person learns when unable to avoid repeated aversive events.

how does control relate with life span

more control= longer lifespan

external locus of control

perception that chance beyond our personal control determines our fate

internal locus of control

belief that you control your own fate

self control

the ability to control impulses and delay short term gratification

how does aerobic exersise affect our well being

increases our heart and lung fitness, alleviates depression and anxiety

feel good do good phenomenon

peoples tendency to be helpful when in a good mood.

positive psychology

the scientific study of human flourishing, goals of finding and promoting strengths and virtues that help individuals and communities strive.

subjective well being

our feelings of happiness or satisfaction with our life

adaption level phenomenon

our tendency to form judgements relative to a neutral level defined by our prior experience. “new normal”

relative deprivation

the perception that one is worse off relative to those w/ whom one compares oneself to.

is happiness constant?

No, happiness fluctuates with ups and downs.

what are the 3 pillars to positive psych

positive well being, positive character, positive groups.

examples of a catstrophe stressor

a natural disaster- tornando, hurricane, etc.

example of a significan life change stressor

going to college, new job, moving houses.

examples of a daily hassles stressor

homework, parking lots, called on in class.

walter cannon fight or flight response

The body’s immediate reaction to stress, activating the sympathetic nervous system to confront or avoid a threat

hans selye

researched general adaption syndrome

direct coping vs defensive coping

direct: confrontation, compromise, or withdrawl

defensive: poor coping, negative effects

what was found with the oncology mice studies

mice in human like conditions had a 97% cancer rate, mice in mouse conditions had a 7% cancer rate ; humans have coping mechanisms mice dont.

what is behavioral medicine

Psych + traditional medicine

Friedman and Rosenmans study

Research linking type A personality to higher risk of heart disease

Coronary aneurysm

Bulging or weakening in a coronary artery that can rupture

Behavioral psychology

Combined behavioral and medical knowledge to prevent and treat

Clinical psychology

Field that assesses and treats mental, emotional and behavioral disorders

Behavioral psychology

Branch of psychology focusing on observable behaviors and how they are learned

Medical psychology

Focuses on psychological factors related to medical conditions and treatment

Health psychology

Study of how psychological factors influence health and illness

Carcinogens

Cancer causing substance (e.g. tobacco smoke)

Natural Killer Cells

Immune cells that destroy virus-infected and cancer cells

Reticular formation

Brainstorm network that controls arousal and alertness

Glucocorticoids (cortisol)

Stress hormone that mobilizes energy but suppresses immune functioning over time

Macrophage

Large immune cell that engulfs and digests pathogens

Immune disease

A disorder caused by dysfunction of the immune system

Coronary heart disease

Blockage of coronary arteries reducing blood flow to the heart

T lymphocytes

Attack infected cells and coordinate immune responses

B lymphocytes

Produce antibodies to fight infections

Telemores

Protective chromosome caps that shorten with age and chronic stress