AP Psychology Unit 5 Part 1 - Stress and Positive Psychology

stress

process by which we perceive and respond to certain events (stressors) that we appraise as threatening or challenging

stressors

external events, from daily hassles to catastrophes, that triggers a physical and psychological stress response

eustress

“good” or positive stress that motivates, focuses energy and improves performance

distress

negative, overwhelming stress that causes significant, physical suffering and inhibits daily functioning

adverse childhood experiences (ACE)

potentially traumatic events occurring before 18 yo that can cause toxic stress, disrupting healthy brain development (abuse, neglect)

general adaption syndrome (GAS)

Selye’s concept of the body’s adaptive response to stress in three phases - alarm, resistance, exhaustion

alarm - phase 1

sympathetic nervous system activated, heart-rate increases, now ready to fight back

resistance - phase 2

temperature, blood pressure, respiration increase, endocrine system pumps epinephrine and norepinephrine into bloodstream; fully engaged to meet challenge

exhaustion - phase 3

become more vulnerable to illness or even collapse, death

fight-flight-freeze-fawn response

automatic involuntary physiological reaction to perceived danger, activating sympathetic nervous system to ensure survival

tend-and-befriend theory

under stress, people (esp. women) may nurture themselves and others and bond with/seek support from on another

immune suppression

decreased effectiveness of the immune system to fight infection/disease, caused by chronic stress

hypertension

cardiovascular disease linked to chronic stress, anger, etc.

coping

alleviating stress using emotional, cognitive, or behavioral methods

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 avoiding or ignoring a stressor/attending to emotional needs related to our stress reaction

learned helplessness

hopelessness and passive resignation humans and other animals learn when unable to avoid repeated aversive events

external locus of control

perception that outside forces beyond our personal control determine our fate

internal locus of control

perception that we control our own fate