30.1Understanding Stress and Internal Conflicts

Stress

A physiological and psychological reaction to the challenges, conflicts, and demands that we face in our life.

External sources of stress

Stress that comes from outside influences, such as parents or school.

Internal demands

Stress that arises from the expectations we place on ourselves, such as the desire to succeed or the drive for perfection.

Real stress

Stress that is based on actual events or deadlines, such as a paper due for class.

Imagined stress

Stress that is perceived but not based on actual statements or facts, like believing parents want straight A's without them stating it.

Appraisal

The assessment of a situation that influences the emotional reaction that follows.

Eustress

Stress that comes from positive sources, such as achieving good grades or getting into a desired college.

Microstressors

Small daily annoyances that can accumulate and have a severe effect on stress levels.

Approach-Approach conflict

A conflict where there are two equally desirable options to choose from.

Avoidance-Avoidance conflict

A conflict where there are two undesirable options to choose from.

Approach-Avoidance conflict

A conflict where there is one option that has both desirable and undesirable qualities.

Double Approach-Avoidance conflict

A conflict where there are multiple options, each with desirable and undesirable qualities.

Vacillation

The act of bouncing back and forth between available options in a conflict.

Extent of Stressors

Categories of stressors ranging from not at all a stressor to catastrophic events.

Not at all a stressor

A situation that does not induce any stress.

Micro stressor

A minor stressor that can accumulate over time.

Moderate stressor

A stressor that has a noticeable impact but is manageable.

Major life event

A significant event that causes considerable stress.

Catastrophic event

An event that causes extreme stress and can have severe consequences.

Conflict appraisal

The process of evaluating a conflict as either a threat or a challenge.

Richard Lazarus

Proposed the importance of how we assess and appraise situations in relation to stress.

State of focus and arousal

The emotional state experienced when a challenge is perceived rather than a threat.

Inaction

A state where individuals give up in the face of conflict, often seen in Avoidance-Avoidance conflicts.

Ambivalence

Mixed feelings experienced in an Approach-Avoidance conflict due to the presence of both desirable and undesirable qualities.