section 11

Autonomic nervous system

A part of the nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions, such as heart rate, digestion, and stress response. Example: The autonomic nervous system helps regulate your heartbeat without conscious effort.

What is happiness?

Happiness is a complex emotional state characterized by feelings of joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment. It can vary in intensity and duration and is influenced by external circumstances and internal attitudes. Happiness often results from achieving personal goals, forming meaningful relationships, and engaging in enjoyable activities. It is considered an essential aspect of overall well-being.

Feel-good, do-good phenomenon

The tendency for people to be more helpful when they are in a good mood. Example: Someone who receives good news might be more likely to lend a helping hand to others.

Health psychologist

A professional who studies how biological, social, and psychological factors influence health and illness. Example: A health psychologist may work with patients to develop lifestyle changes that improve their health.

Adaptation-level phenomenon

The tendency to form judgments ( of sounds, of lights, of income) relative to a neutral level defined by our prior experience. Example: After getting a salary raise, people may quickly adapt and feel the need for more income to feel satisfied.

Locus of Control

The degree to which people believe they have control over the outcomes of events in their lives. Example: Individuals with an internal locus of control believe their efforts directly influence success and our own fate. Then individuals with an external locus of control believe that outside forces beyond our personal control determine our fate.

Personality & Coping styles

Individual differences in emotional and behavioral responses to stressors. Example: A person with a Type A personality might cope with stress by taking charge and attempting to control the situation.

Behavioral medicine

An interdisciplinary field that integrates behavioral and medical knowledge to promote health and reduce illness. Example: Behavioral medicine practitioners might help patients with diabetes adjust their eating habits.

Relative deprivation principle

The perception that one is worse off relative to those with whom one compares oneself. Example: A person might feel unhappy about their job if they compare it to a friend's seemingly better job.

Learned helplessness

A condition in which a person feels unable to escape a negative situation, based on past experiences. Example: A child who consistently fails in school may eventually stop trying altogether.

Promoting Health

The process of enabling people to increase control over and improve their health. Example: Health promotion initiatives often include educational programs about healthy eating.

Meditation

A practice of focusing the mind to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state. Example: Many people meditate daily to reduce stress and enhance mental clarity.

Perceived control

The belief that one can influence events and outcomes in their life. Example: Individuals who perceive they have control over their stressors are more likely to cope effectively.

Optimism/pessimism

A general expectancy that good or bad things will happen in the future. Example: An optimistic person may expect positive outcomes even in challenging times.

Stress and cancer

Research suggests that stress can weaken the immune system, potentially impacting cancer development and progression. Example: Chronic stress may inhibit the body's ability to fight cancer.

Heart disease

A range of conditions that affect the heart, including blood vessel disease, arrhythmias, and heart defects. Example: Lifestyle factors like diet and exercise significantly influence the risk of heart disease.

Depression & heart disease

Depression has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease and can worsen outcomes for people with existing heart conditions. Example: Patients with depression may have a higher likelihood of heart attack.

Psychoneuroimmunology

The study of the interaction between psychological processes, the nervous system, and the immune system. Example: Research in psychoneuroimmunology examines how stress affects immune function.

General adaptation syndrome (GAS)

A three-stage process (alarm, resistance, exhaustion) that describes the body's physiological response to stress. Example: When faced with a stressful situation, the body first reacts with a 'fight or flight' response.

Phases of GAS

The three stages of General Adaptation Syndrome: alarm reaction: the immediate reaction to the a stressor, triggering the body’s “fight or flight” response

stage of resistance: adaptation to the stressor

stage of exhaustion: depletion of energy and resources

Example: In the exhaustion phase, prolonged stress may lead to decreased performance and health.

Stressful life events

Significant changes or hardships that can trigger stress, such as loss of a loved one or job. Example: Moving to a new city is one of the top stressful life events reported by many individuals.

Aerobic exercise

Physical exercise that improves the efficiency of the cardiovascular system in transporting oxygen. Example: Running or swimming regularly can significantly enhance one’s heart health.

Lymphocytes

A type of white blood cell that is part of the immune system, playing a crucial role in defending the body against disease. Example: Lymphocytes help recognize and fight off infections.

Stress and AIDS

Studies indicate that stress may have a negative impact on the immune system's ability to cope with HIV/AIDS. Example: Individuals with chronic stress may experience faster disease progression.

Psychophysiological illness

Physical ailments that are caused or exacerbated by emotional factors. Example: Tension headaches often result from stress and anxiety.

Martin Seligman

A psychologist known for his work on happiness, optimism, and learned helplessness. Example: Seligman's research on positive psychology emphasizes the importance of fostering well-being.

Type A/B/C/D Personalities

Different personality types that describe behavior patterns; Type A is competitive and aggressive, Type B is relaxed and easygoing, Type C is more introverted and detail-oriented, Type D is distressed and prone to negative emotions. Example: Type A individuals often experience higher levels of stress.

Fear/Anger

Emotional responses to perceived threats; fear is a response to immediate danger, while anger can be a reaction to violation of expectations or rights. Example: A person may feel fear when facing a potential accident and anger if they feel unfairly treated.