Stress and Coping Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts related to stress, appraisal, stressors, coping techniques, and responses to stress.

Stress

A natural, bodily response to challenges or demands, often described as a feeling of emotional or physical tension.

Primary Appraisal

The immediate process of interpreting the meaning of an event or situation as a threat, an opportunity, or as irrelevant.

Secondary Appraisal

Analysis of one's available resources to overcome a stressful situation, concluding whether sufficient resources exist or not.

Chronic Stressors

Long-term stressful situations that have no resolution in sight. Example: Constant deadlines, overcrowded working conditions.

Acute Stressors

Short-term stressful situations that will soon be resolved. Example: Car runs out of gas, short term illness.

Gute Stress (Acute Stress)

Short-term stress arising from sudden demands. Can enhance performance and is typically harmless in small doses.

Chronic Stress

Long-term stress stemming from continuous pressures, leading to serious health issues and reduced life expectancy.

Frustration (as a Type of Stress)

Stress arising when the pursuit of a goal is hindered.

Conflict (as a Type of Stress)

Stress arising when two or more motivations compete (e.g., approach-approach, approach-avoidance, avoidance-avoidance).

Change (as a Type of Stress)

Stress resulting from noticeable alterations in life that require readjustment (e.g., divorce, new job).

Pressure (as a Type of Stress)

Stress arising from expectations or demands for behavior.

Peer Pressure

Pressure exerted by peers, which can be direct, indirect, self-imposed, positive, or negative.

Constructive Coping Techniques

Positive strategies for dealing with stress, such as maintaining a positive outlook, rational problem-solving, and seeking social support.

Destructive Coping Techniques

Negative strategies for dealing with stress, such as risk-taking behaviors, avoidance, denial, substance abuse, and oversleeping.

Appraisal (in context of Albert Ellis)

The cognitive evaluation of a situation or event that leads to an emotional response.

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)

A type of psychotherapy that aims to identify and challenge irrational beliefs and thought patterns that contribute to emotional distress and unhealthy behaviors.

ABCDE Model (REBT)

A framework in REBT: Activating Event, Beliefs, Consequences, Disputations to challenge self-defeating beliefs, and Effect or consequence of challenging belief.

Emotional Response to Stress

Specific reactions and feelings experienced in response to events or stimuli, such as happiness, sadness, fear, or anger.

Physiological Response to Stress

The body's reaction to stress, including changes in heart rate, breathing, blood flow, and hormone release (fight-or-flight response).

Alarm Phase of Stress

The initial 'fight or flight' response where the heart races, and the nervous system goes on high alert.

Resistance Phase of Stress

The phase where the body adapts to the stressor by diverting resources to cope, potentially leading to irritability and lack of focus.

Exhaustion Phase of Stress

The 'burnout' phase where bodily resources are depleted, leading to decreased stress tolerance, hopelessness, and potential chronic illness.

Behavioral Responses to Stress

External expressions of the internal experience of stress, ranging from subtle habits to overt behaviors like social withdrawal or substance use.