Psychology of Everyday Life: Exam 1

Case Studies

In-depth investigation of an individual participant.

Naturalistic Observation

Careful observation of behavior without intervening directly with the subject.

Correlation

A relationship between two variables, but does not imply causation.

Independent Variable (IV)

The variable that is manipulated in an experiment.

Dependent Variable (DV)

The variable that is measured and is dependent on the IV.

Control Group

A group that remains unchanged and does not receive special treatment in an experiment.

Empiricism

The premise that knowledge should be acquired through observation.

Subjective Well-Being

Individuals' personal assessments of their overall happiness.

Affective Forecasting

Efforts to predict one’s emotional reactions to future events.

Hedonic Adaptation

The process where the baseline for comparison of experiences shifts over time.

Mind Mapping

A visual representation of thoughts or achievements, often used for problem-solving.

Ellis’ A-B-C Model

A framework for understanding how individuals deal with stress (Activating Event, Belief, Consequence).

List of 5 Stress Coping Strategies:

1. “Find the good in a bad situation.”

2. “Control your inner dialogue.”

3. “Avoid the blame game.”

4. “Shift your focus forward.”

5. “Keep your problems in perspective.”

Ambient Stress

Chronic negative conditions in the environment that can affect health.

Acute Stressors

Short-duration stressors with a clear endpoint.

Chronic Stressors

Long-duration stressors without a clear endpoint.

Anticipatory Stressors

Future events perceived as threatening.

Frustration

The feeling when the pursuit of a goal is blocked.

Internal Conflict

When two or more goals conflict with each other.

Stress

A special stimulus-response transaction involving feelings of threat or loss. Patterns of physiological arousal are oftentimes similar, regardless of the type of stress.

Fight or Flight Response

The body's automatic response to perceived danger, is managed by the Autonomic Nervous System. In response to stress, the brain sends signals to the endocrine system. Actions along with these pathways release 2 hormones into the bloodstream, catecholamines and corticosteroids

Alarm Reaction

The initial response to a stressor.

Resistance

The body's response when a threat continues.

Exhaustion

The state when a threat persists for too long, leading to fatigue.

Neurogenesis

The formation of new neurons in the brain, which can be affected by stress.

Behavioral Responses

Coping efforts to manage stress demands.

Positive Coping (healthy)

Healthy strategies like exercising and journaling to manage stress.

Negative Coping Responses (Maladaptive)

• 1. annoyance, anger, rage 2. Apprehension anxiety, 3. Fear

The Levels of Stress

• Low Complexity→high level of arousal is best

• Medium Complexity→medium level of arousal is best

• High Complexity→low level of arousal is best

  High levels of stress may hamper the ability to cope with stress, depending on the level of arousal

Impaired Task Performance

Decreased performance due to stress or pressure.

Psychosomatic Diseases

Physical ailments thought to be caused by stress and emotional distress.

Burnout

Physical or emotional exhaustion attributed to work-related stress.

Emotional Intelligence

The ability to perceive, understand, and regulate emotions in oneself and others.

4 Main Components of Emotional Intelligence

1. Being able to perceive emotion in yourself and others

2. Understanding how your emotions shape your thinking 

3. Understanding complex emotions

4. Understanding how to regulate strong emotions

• People with a high level of emotional intelligence; people gravitate towards you

• More effective leaders; are more likely to use problem-seeking methods to solve an issue; and have better physical and mental health 

Learned Helplessness

Passive behavior resulting from exposure to unavoidable stressors.

Defense Mechanisms

Psychological strategies to protect oneself from unpleasant emotions.

Constructive Coping

Healthful efforts to deal with stress.

Humor

A tool that can help deescalate stress.

Emotional Intelligence Components

Perceiving emotions, understanding their impact, and regulating them.

Adherence to Medical Advice

The extent to which patients follow medical recommendations.

Physical Dependence

A condition where a person takes a drug to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Psychological Dependence

An emotional urge to use a drug.

Overdose

Excessive use of a drug that can lead to death.

Stimulants

Drugs that increase brain activity and energy levels, such as meth and cocaine.

Sedatives

sleep-inducing pills that tend to decrease the central nervous system & behavioral activity. Have the power to cause motor coordination deterioration.

Narcotics

• drugs derived from opium that is capable of relieving pain.

• Heroin is a narcotic drug that intense state of euphoria

• Side effects may cause nausea, drowsiness, constipation, and slowed respiration

• High risk of physical or psychological dependence, withdrawal from the narcotics, adopting a drug centered lifestyle

• High risk of overdose, contracting diseases from dirty needles 

Ecstacy

• is a synthetic drug related to amphetamines and hallucinogens 

• The euphoria, blurring of vision, and anxiety can impact the production of seretonin, impact memory retention

• May contribute to a variety of acute and chronic physical maladies and cognitive functioning

Hallucinogens

impacts perception can include intense negative states “bad trip”, anxiety, out-of-body experiences that can be noted, panic, and accidental energies.

Weed

• the hemp plant from which weed, hadish and THC is derived 

• Psychological dependence, lung disease, and impairment in attention and memory but can stop with the termination of use. May be bad for your heart and increase the likelihood of stroke, and impaired ability to drive.

Barry Schwarts (2004) argues that…

life choices have increased dramatically in modern society, and abundance of choices can lead to choice overlaod; choice overload leads to rumination and postdecision regret

Research has show that what is correlated with happiness?

good social relations

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

made up of nerves that connect to the heart, blood vessels, smooth muscles, and glands

Sympathetic

• division mobilizes energy during emergencies and engages in the fight or flight response which takes place in the autonomic nervous system. Causes sweaty palms, dry mouth, speeds up heart beat, digestion stops 

Parasympathetic

• has a calming aspect to the body and conserves energy. Ex: 

• These are a part of the ANS

Brain-body Control

• control your physiological response to stress; The endocrine system is associated to pituitary glands which stimulate them

Factors that impact medical adherence

• Negative attitudes toward the physician 

• Difficult treatment plan

• Scared of the treatment plan

Enteric Nervous System

“second brain” communicates with your brain through the nervous system and your hormones

Type A Personality usually has…

• 1. Strong competitive orientation. 2. Impatience & time urgency  3.Anger & Hostility 

Immune Response

• the body’s defensive reaction to bacteria, viral agents, or other foreign substances. Stress can suppress this

Obesity

common health problem & is a serious risk factor for a number of health problems and diseases. It’s hereditary accounts for 60% more of the variation in weight

Ex: BMI of 25.0 -25.9 = overweight

BMI greater than 30 = obese; Try to avoid non-natural fats; Consume a balanced variety of foods; Avoid harmful substances. Avoid MSG, and saturated fats, refrain from grain carbs, sugar, salt; Increase fiber 

Vagus Nerve or the “Wanderer”

helps maintain heart rate; helps with digestion, regulating emotion and pain; controls inflammation…its malfunction is caused by stress, poor sleep, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet

Vagal Tone

(nerve function) strengthened by deep breathing with a longer exhale

Coronary heart disease

Reduction of blood flow through the coronary arteries which supply the heart with blood. Not attached to OCD.

Atherosclerosis

gradual narrowing of the coronary arteries, usually caused by buildup of fatty deposits and other debris on the inner walls. Inflammation of the arteries may contribute to atherosclerosis and elevated coronary risk. People who exhibit more angry and hostile behaviors are more likely to have atherosclerosis.

Angina

acute cardiac symptoms usually in the form of chest pain.

3 types of Internal Conflict

• Approach - Approach→Green jacket or Blue Sweater? (2 positives)

• Avoidance - Avoidance→I hate this job or But I might be unemployed; My back hurts but I’m scared to have surgery. (2 negatives)

• Approach - Avoidance→Should I go on this date but what if I get rejected? (1 positive & 1 negative)

Primary Appraisal

the initial evaluation of a situation to determine if it is relevant ans how it may impact someone emotionally. Connected to systematic problem solving.

Secondary Appraisal

a person’s evaluation of their resources and options for coping w/ a stressful event. Connected to systematic problem solving.

Personality Type D

Linked to distress through negative emotions and social inhibitions

3 Types of Constructive Coping Tactics

• Appraisal-Focused Strategies→ rational thinking, disputing negative self-talk

• Problem-Focused Strategies→Active problem solving, improving self-control, Becoming more assertive 

Emotion-Focused Strategies→Releasing pent up emotions; Distracting oneself, exercising, meditating

What Reduces Stress:

• Humor can deescalate stress

• Surrounding yourself with positive people can reduce stress 

• Rewarding social relations, greater social support

• Take self less seriously than others

• Less than threatening appraisal

• Exercising

• Meditation

• Spirituality 

• Handle one thing at a time